Strange how Strapping Young Lad and I are on the same page at the same time, check out his latest if you haven’t yet? It’s a bit of a rant on distractions in this world we live in and how one copes with them. I was also struck with distractions and how we deal with them today after watching this really cool 2 min video clip on youtube showcasing the Light Criticism Project . This project reminds me of why I moved to K-town. Not the only reason, mind you, but a big one, reason #8 or so probably, to get away from excessive distractions, specifically all things homogenous, cookie-cutter, mass produced, and often times corporate. I came to these here hills known as Knoxville to get a breath of fresh air, and to be in a space where there was room to breathe.

One of my favorite things about K-town is the lack of ‘the man’ A.K.A. Corporate America. Granted he’s here, and granted he’s here more and more each year but compared to where I’m from, he’s a tiny whisper at best. We don’t have to do things like the Light Criticism Project in Knoxville because we JUST got our 2 way billboards, and real time highway notification systems. Plus we haven’t come close to the technology they are using in most major cities, nor the amount of advertising, and I love it. More importantly in K-town we have spaces like that wall by Pres. Pub in Market Square where people have just begun creating art, little by little, and it’s OK. Not that graffiti is legal here, I would assume it isn’t, but when most buildings aren’t tagged, and gang signs aren’t spread everywhere the police can be more lax about it I guess? Plus its unfinished ply wood, so it rather begs to be drawn on. Like the walls at my Dad’s house, when I was growing up. My Dad was refinishing the house, and painting the walls was going to be one of the last things, so we were allowed to write on them growing up, and write we did! ‘I love John Taylor’, ‘Duran Duran’, ‘and U2 Rocks’…

I hear people gripping and moaning often enough, about there being no one here and nothing to do, and I think, huh? Sure there is a vacuum in K-town compared to Atlanta or NYC, but it’s a beautiful one! The vacuum means there is room for those here to breathe, to create, and to put into place the things we want. In many major cities people spend their time fighting what is there, (see video clip above if you haven’t yet watched it). But here in Knoxville we have the opportunity to create and build from the ground up! Think of the difference between painting a deep cranberry wall with several coats of white primer so you can then change the color versus painting the wall the color you want in the first place? Doesn’t option two, just feel good to your soul, soo much less effort goes into creating and building when you don’t have to tear down BEFORE you can even start.

So, people, be inspired! If there is something you feel K-town lacks then I encourage you to get off your heine and make it happen! John Mayer may be speaking for the rest of the rest of America when he says he is ‘waiting for the world to change’ but I’m not waiting. (Did you notice the graffiti connection again? Maybe I really need to finish designing the mural for the garage?) But Knoxville is full of people that think for themselves, people who don’t want to be just like everyone and everywhere else, which I love! Like Todd Steed describes my neighborhood,
"Thank God for North Knoxville
Where this town still looks like itself,
It's the last place in America
Ain't trying to be somewhere else"
—"North Knoxville," Todd Steed & Apelife

If you want to see change than you need to make it happen, and the only thing holding you back is you. There is an entire city for us to leave better than when we came and to enjoy while we’re here. And luckily we have so many brave souls to emulate that have already blazed the trail for us. All I’m saying is I love being here. And this living breathing city and those in it have captured my heart and mind and made me a better person for it.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

If you haven’t heard Leslie Woods and Dark Mountain Orchid, you’re missing out. If Radiohead listened a little more to the Cure, had a female singer and grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, you may have this interesting concoction of a band. However, that’s not an all-encompassing description, as there are similarities to Sixteen Horsepower, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and early punk rock. The blend of sounds is strikingly unique. I’ve never heard anything like it.

And recently I got to interview Leslie…

When we finally sit down at our table, we promptly begin talking music. She says she’s in a state of total disgust with modern rock. “It’s all so derivative,� she says. I’m not agreeing entirely, but I can’t say she’s not onto something.

“There needs to be another Nirvana,� she says, and my mouth almost drops to the floor. “The first time I heard Nirvana I was driving and I had to stop the car,� she adds. She says that day she told a friend she heard something that “actually had a guitar solo in the middle of the song.�

She’s right. Rock music has taken a strange, pretentious twist straying from its original form. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but there’s a real lack of true rock sound anymore and no one seems to be bringing it back. Despite the fact that Nirvana was incredibly derivative, at least they blended key sources. In this case, I agree with Leslie. We need another Nirvana.

As she clearly must have good taste in music (she likes Nirvana) I keep probing her, trying to figure out the answer to my original question. There’s mention of R.E.M.’s “Murmur�. There’s mention of Son Volt. These all came out during her lifetime (although her age is a mystery, like much else about her).

She says she grew up on the rock of the ‘70s, listing Eric Burdon and the Animals, Canned Heat, Dr. John and Tina Turner, an interesting blend that doesn’t seem to shine through in her music.

Interestingly, Leslie tells me about the last record store on the Strip (located on Seventeenth, she believes) owned by a man she simply refers to as “Mike.�

She also tells me about her brief stint at the University of Tennessee. She constructed sort of her own Appalachian Studies major, which was short-lived due to the death of a professor who helped her get started. I can’t help but wonder if her Appalachian Studies managed to influence the more traditional, southern part of her sound.

Finally, after all of this casual conversation, my first real question I had planned to ask her comes up and I inquire about her influences, completely unaware at this point that she’s already been listing them. She looks at me funny and pauses for a moment (like they all do) before giving me the most unique answer I’ve ever heard—“I’m influenced by people more than I am bands.�

No musicians can accurately explain what bands they’re influenced by. Most of the time when they’re asked, they just look at you slightly confused, as if they’ve never really thought about it before despite the fact that it’s probably the most classic question to ever ask a rock band.

There may have been a day when the question was easier to answer. Maybe with the shifts in rock music since the early ‘70s, the question has become obsolete. But there has to be some form of answer.

She says her parents taught her to play, and music has been a familial thing for her. She says she wants to pass to her kids what was passed on to her, and the reason she wanted to learn music was to teach her children (of which she has two).

Her self-taught manner is evident in her songs. The most striking part of her music is the odd progressions (without a hint of pretentiousness or signs of being oblivious to music theory) with the intricate, fluctuating vocal lines. The band (consisting of two electric guitars, drums, an upright bass, and the occasional banjo and mandolin) comes up with their parts accordingly. “I trust them,� she says. “They’re the masters of their instruments, not me.�

She says she once asked Terry Hill (now a guitarist in her band) to teach her guitar, which he refused, saying she would be better off if she didn’t know what she was doing. Leslie plays what sounds good to her, not what she has been taught will sound good, which is a refreshing outlook on songwriting. It’s more genuine than throwing together a few chords in a progression that perfectly abides by music theory. There’s more feeling involved.

Leslie’s band is popular here in town, but she tells me that their albums (made into one double-disc set by their label, Glitterhouse Records) is big in Germany and Denmark. I ask why and she tells me it’s because people in Europe try to find the most obscure band. It’s a competition to see who can find what first. Sounds like Europe is full of indie-rock kids.

Despite their popularity, Leslie tells me they have a hard time fitting a bill with another band due to differing crowds. They’ve played with Creech Holler, and have upcoming shows with them. However, she tells me that some of their best crowd responses have been when they opened for theatre troupes or burlesque shows.

And speaking of live shows, last year Leslie had the opportunity of a lifetime when her band was asked to play Bonnaroo. “It was all very last minute,� she says. The band played at 2 p.m. the last day for a “big, somewhat enthused� crowd. She says she was the only goth at Bonnaroo, which would make sense—not many people are wearing all black and leather in Middle Tennessee when it’s 98 with a heat index of 110.

Although they haven’t been playing much recently, she talks of upcoming shows, so keep an eye out—it’s something worth seeing.

Live at Bonnaroo

(photo credits: Bill Henderson, Carrie Thompson)

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Well, I am a little behind in my entries as of late, but I had many obstacles to face in the last few days. Being a courageous defender of hope, justice, and the Knoxville way pits many adversaries in my way. Fending off these baddy bads sometimes eats up my schedule. I hope you haven’t missed me.

Wednesday night I was never aware that one of my long time allies was going to betray me. Companion to me on many a fair evening, a tender and saucy friend stealthily poisoned me. One single, luke warm buffalo wing I had slid down my gullet began the process that would eventually bring me to my knees come Thursday evening. It was a terribly gory affair that involves things best left undescribed. How one of my most trusted comfort foods could stoop so low, it was betrayal at it’s spiciest. It was well into the wee hours of Friday morning before I stopped howling ‘et tu, chicken wing?� into the toilet.

Luckily I had managed to gather most of my strength come night fall. Using my identity as blackmail, the infamous Thirteen had called me out. So in true superhero/villain style we met at midnight, high above the metro-Knoxville streets. Unfortunately, K-town seems to have only two buildings close to being skyscrapers. It was awkward at first as I stood on top of the BB&T building, craning my super ears to hear the nefarious Thirteen yell his evil plot from the acme of the First Tennessee. We quickly semaphored an agreement to meet halfway. So in the covered pedestrian bridge, tens of feet above Main Street, we finally met face to face. My nemesis at last before me, clad in a form fitting black on black ensemble complete with mask and sword, left but one lingering thought in my head. Man, those cats in the SCA sure can sew a mean costume. I was starting to feel a little showed up in my bath towel cape and underoos.
“So we finally meet, Thirteen� I said.
“Indeed, Young Lad. It will be an honor to bring the high and mighty Straps to his DOOM!!! AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!� the dark one cackled.

Then like for the next thirty minutes or so, dude starts going into how he’s got this big ole plan for ruling the world. I mean, it was interesting for a minute, but then he’s all ‘death beams’, blah blah, ‘evil army of do-ers’, blah blah, showing me pictures of his ‘mind control quiche’, re-enactments involving action figures, flow charts...

Finally, I was just like, “Dude, it’s the middle of the night and I am standing downtown in my underwear, freezing my f@#$ing little lads off. Let’s do dis already.�

And it was off to the races. Bam, slam, kapowey, zoing, zip, zap, slap, say I won’t, gitcher filthy paws offa, eat this, try that, how ya like me now, et cetera, until a standstill felt inevitable. As the moonlight basked down upon our battered and bloody bodies, I suddenly could feel the strength of hundreds of Knoxville scensters swell up in me, the taste of Miller High Life in my sweat, the faint echos of Umphrey's McGee’s coming from the Bijou playing in my ears, throngs of smiling happy people out at the bars and I could see each and every one of their sloppy grinned faces. “NOT IN MY TOWN, BUDDY� I bellowed as I wiped a trickle of crimson from the corner of my mouth.

Then, because we had previously agreed to keep everything PG-13, I chucked him off of something high onto something pointy. Funny thing is, apparently Thirteen is all sorts of into full spinal piercing. He just totally pulls himself off of this rusty piece of re-bar and pops in a super-duper gauge stainless steel barbell. Oh, we just laughed and laughed. Then we went and got waffles. Man, I like waffles.

At least that’s how I recall how Friday went down. Mind you, I did keep intermittently blacking out and then finding myself on my couch sweating out a food poison induced fever. My memory of the events could be a little suspect, to say the least.

With all nasty bouts with bacteria coming to a close come Saturday, I finally did get to be a superhero of sorts. Saturday evening I was honored and privileged to be an honorary member of The Bearded for the night. Even though I only managed to get up two day’s growth on my chin before the show, the wonderful fellows in the band still let me up on stage with them for a great show at the Laurel Theater. It was part of the ongoing concerts put on by Jubilee Community Arts and it was a humdinger to be sure. The band was hot, the crowd was awesome, and even local harmonica legend Mike Crawley got up on stage for a kickin rendition of "If I Should Fall From the Grace of God". I highly recommend catching these gentlemen some time if you haven’t already, and not just because I'm on their washboard sub-list. They got all your old time fun lovin jug bandy goodness joneses covered.

TONIGHT'S PICKS: I can't get enough Portuguese, so I guess I need to get down to the Preservation Pub tonight for the Nova Delinquents.

Until the next episode, true believers,
This is Strapping Young Lad, over and out.

p.s. All in good fun, Thirteen.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

From a photographer's perspective, the Preservation Pub on Market Square is always worth a visit. Good ambiance. Lotsa eye candy. You can also run into interesting people like Beauvais Lyons, curator of the Hokes Archive. Brilliant man. Ask him about centaurs.





Of course, spend too much time at the pub and you end up making 2 a.m. trips to Kroger to soothe the munchies.





Or you can just cheat and make cinnamon toast.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:41 AM | Permalink

Continue reading "Coaches of the Tennesseans 2: Dread Man-Chest" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:57 AM | Permalink

Being a superhero has always been one of my more childlike fantasies, but I reckon a career as a supervillian suits me better --after all, I've got the hair for it.

As proof of my villianious deviousness, I've uncovered the secret identity of Strapping Young Lad! No, I'm not going to tell you the name of his mild-mannered alter ego. That would ruin my delighfully fiendish plan.

Actually, Young Straps volunteered the information in an inadvertant e-mail. We're both members of a local martial arts mailing list that he spammed with a plea for votes. My reply, of course, was that he'd have to be a lot more convincing to get my vote! ;)

I did rein in my villainous nature enough to not "reply all" and inform his readers that Straps had made a technical mistake and that all ballots should be marked "Thirteen". But it was a fun thought, nonetheless.

Now, to implement my brilliant plan of world domination!
Bwahahahahaha!

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:37 PM | Permalink

Greetings 520, Strapping Young Lad here, thanks for having me.

I am an easily amused sort of fellow. This has come as a blessing to me many times in my life, especially at times and places of prolonged waiting (doctors’ offices, department of vehicles, principal’s lobby, corner of North Shore and Kingston Pike). I believe it is one of the more treasured traits that somehow my blood line preserved over the last hundreds of thousands of years of evolution. Ever seen a bored chimp? Me neither.

Fortunately, my genetic make up has naturally selected to replace eating nits off my brothers back and flinging poop with reading the funny pages and doing sudokus (to be fair, though, I have never really given the first two a chance and my brothers back hair infestation could use some attention). The art of distraction has evolved faster than any other human want. We have taken the idea of smooth pebbles and interestingly shaped sticks and expounded on them million fold. We have the internet, tabloids, radio, satellites, cable, cell phones, even good old fashioned papers and magazines providing us with more wonderful, useless, fluffy information than we could ever consume in ten lifetimes. All of which leaves us quite the gaggle of confused monkeys when we try to decide what to be distracted by and what to be distracted from.

Pop star shows off vertical grin or people trying to cure cancer? Teen actor shows off his hairy potter on stage in London or ice caps getting worrisomely thin? Texas stripper buys boobs and gets them published in national boob magazine, the boobs get a sudden rise to fame and they marry a billionaire corpse, boobs start to lose popularity, boobs hit the Ben & Jerry’s and get a reality show, boobs shed the pounds with a cocktail of over the counter diet crank mixed with antidepressants, boobs barely stand up at an award presentation, boobs get in decade long legal fight for billionaire corpses money, boobs have daughter, boobs lose son, boobs die leaving the boobs genetic material donors to duke it out with every man who had ever played with the boobs over what to do with the boobs, judge cries as medical examiner calls in to say “um, we need to do something about the boobs, they are starting to ‘turn’�, but oh what is to happen to the boobies’ poor motherless million dollar baby? or the ever growing amount of not rich children that are losing their mommies and daddies to a couple of wars that have been going on for quite some time now. So many choices.

It’s like we are magpies thrown into a room full of broken mirrors. We all just strut around trying to decide which piece of shiny glass we want to take. They all look so pretty.

Now, I am not shaking my finger from an ivory tower, mind you. We need distractions, for example like this here blog, because we need to care about things that don’t need caring about. We’d go crazy with out this stuff. It’s just odd, is all, when you take that step back and decided what you want to and don’t want to give a fart about. I was thrilled when the AP made an announcement that they would stop caring about a certain talentless hotel empire heiress. I smuggly agreed with myself that there were more important things to read about. I mean, holy hot buttered dammit, there is a new Star Trek movie in the works.

Well, I have ranted long enough. Point is, being a funny monkey ain’t such a bad thing.

Now, as for current distractions:

Tonight’s Picks: Brent Thompson & His Wandering Circus at the Preservation Pub. Those guys can keep my simian entertainment desires in check.

And as always, stay beautiful Knoxville.

Strapping -ooh what was that?-Young Lad

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:25 PM | Permalink

Heeow – these warm sunshiny days have got me feeling that spring time joy. Have you noticed the bushes are budding? It’s not even March, and there are little leaves sprouting their sweet light green-ness throughout the woods.

Happy Spring my fellow k-towners, it comes quickly round here.

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This show's feature artist is Jason Oaks. His work creates a painfully honest storybook with its pages out of order, yet his childlike phantasmagoria leaves room for interpretation. This is a very special night because Cradle will be celebrating its one year anniversary. Also showing is Brian Pittman, Brandon Rogers, Katherine Mertz, Rachel Travis, Carrie Walker and Sarah Grace Long. Stray from the printed tour path a bit and be part of this unique art viewing experience.

Cradle Art Group presents These Walls Can Talk.
This Friday 2 March, during the First Friday events from 6-10 pm.
You may contact cradleartgroup@gmail.com for more information.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:29 AM | Permalink

This is your one weekend a year to gorge yourself on a rich, American musical phenomenon. This city-wide festival will feature concerts headlined by world-reknowned artists, masterclasses taught by people who know what the hell they're talking about and local jazz talent at various locations.

Here's the lowdown...

Tonight:

Tom Johnson Quartet plus
Boling, Brown & Holloway featuring Grammy award
winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin.

East Tennessee History Center
601 S. Gay Street across from the
Tennessee Theatre
7pm
$10 admission

================

Friday, March 2

Knoxville Jazz Orchestra with NYC trumpeter
Bill Mobley.

The new CD, "Blues Man from Memphis" will
be available at this event.

East Tennessee History Center
601 S. Gay Street (across from the
Tennessee Theatre)
7pm
$15 admission

===================

Saturday, March 2

Bobby Lyle Trio / Nicholas Payton Quartet
Bijou Theatre
8pm
$25 admission

Check the website for details on free clinics by
some of the visiting artists.

Purchase your tickets today to the Saturday concert,
and receive $5 off each East Tennessee History Center
event.

Here's info about the master classes:

Presented by the Knox County Public Library

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:41 PM | Permalink

One of the truly neat places (do I lose cool points for using the word 'neat'?) in Knoxville is Ironwood Studios, the lair of artists John McGilvray and Preston Farabow, located in a battered old industrial site behind the Old Gray Cemetery. I've attended a couple of First Friday events in the space --evenings filled with food and alcohol, art and loud music, and some great conversations with random people.

Apparently, Ironwood Studios will host a Big Art Show on March 9, throwing open the doors for local artists to show their work. I've decided to take the plunge, by golly, so I've signed up and will now be busily running prints of my work during the next 10 days or so.

Wish me luck!

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Well, instead of just being a tease about my homemade chess pie, I decided to share ...










As for a recipe.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Event: Just another Thursday and Saturday night

Drink (s) of choice: Jager Bombs, Coors Light (because Bar doesn't have Bud Light!)

Friends: Megan, her brother, Bekah, assorted others

So, I had heard so much about this "Bar Knoxville" through my friends and face book groups, I knew I had to check it out. Thinking it would be highly overrated, I set out one Thursday night, college night for those of you unaware, armed with only a group of my friends to conquer Bar Knoxville. I also returned on a Saturday night to see if it was any different than college night.

Bar Knoxville is located at 1820 Cumberland Ave. on "The Strip," where many businesses have come and gone in a blaze of glory. This same building has housed famous establishments such as Moose's and Liquid. Despite what friends had said about Bar Knoxville, or Bar as they call it, I had low expectations due to one experience I had at Liquid. The key word is one, because it was so disgusting, I never returned!

Having played at Bar on a Thursday night and a Saturday, I feel I have a pretty good feel for a club that takes on a totally different atmosphere each night it is open. Thursday night is extremely crowded. You can hardly even dance, which is upsetting, because I am the Dancing Queen, after all. Drink specials on Thursday night, the infamous college night, are unrivaled. Ladies above the age of 21 also get in free! $3 Jager Bombs and $1 beers simply can't be beat! Although Bar was crowded, the bartenders moved people along quickly. If you want fun with more drunk college students that you can handle on a Thursday night, Bar Knoxville is the place to be!

And then you begin to wonder why it's even called BAR Knoxville. It is very much a club, however, on Saturday nights, it takes on more of a bar atmosphere. The dancing is not lacking, however, you just have more room to dance. Also, there are more people simply hanging out, drinking, and talking. The music is mainly R & B, although I do recall (slightly) some "Sweet Home Alabama" coming from the DJ. I only slightly remember "Sweet Home Alabama" because of all $3 Jager Bombs. Don't worry, I wasn't the designated driver for the night!

Bar Knoxville is a lot of friend and some of my friends have made it a Saturday night tradition and others have made it a Thursday night tradition. My advice: only go if you are willing to be knocked down by all the people on Thursday nights. Also, don't go if you're not in college. I am pretty sure after I graduate, I would not find it to be too much because they are there to cater to a college crowd.

In my last blog, a comment was made that Donnamite is going out of business! This saddens me deeply. This store has been opened for seven years and Donna is a wonderful person. Knoxville is really losing out by Donnamite closing. You better get over there in the next two weeks or you'll never get to see it! Sad times...

Thanks for keeping me around last week and I hope that I earned your vote again!

XOXO
~Dancing Queen

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It’s the 4th Tuesday of February and that can only mean one thing. I’m late paying my car insurance again! Woohoo! Actually I kid, what I really mean to say is Happy National Spay Day, Knoxville!

Gosh, has it been a whole year already?

Today’s the day to raise national awareness for the ever present problem of animal overpopulation. You are encouraged to take at least one of your pets in for spaying or neutering. And you were worried you would have nothing to do on your lunch break. But seriously, the local animal shelter euthanizes around 10,000 unwanted animals a year. You can help be part of the solution. Think of all the puppies and kitties. Especially the kitties. Especially the kitties that think the crawlspace under my house is their own after hours feline boudoir of love. I think there may be a kitty porn ring being run from down there. Ever heard a tom and tabby in the throws of passion (like maybe from under my living room)? It never sounds like either party is very happy about their participation. I think spaying and neutering would be doing these cats a favor.

Also, it's a little known fact that Bob Barker takes a shot to the crotch every time an unwanted pet is put to sleep (it's all starting to make sense now, isn't it?). So, if not for all the little cute and fuzzies out there, do it for an 83 year old man's dangly bits.

And moving on:

What happens when you combine a couple of MacBooks, some Ableton Live software, half a dozen midi control switches and keyboards, a rack case full of blinking lights and knobs, a couple of stringed instruments, a drum kit, some bongos, and two members of a big draw jam band? Very confused hippies. Actually what you get is Eoto.

Eoto is the brainchild of Jason Hann and Michael Travis from the very popular String Cheese Incident. They just so happened to be playing a show last night at the World Grotto. I have a bit of fascination for the art of real time musical loop creation and went to see how the big boys do it. And do it they did. As local electronic musicians G-Roc played their opening set, I was trying to gather if everyone else in the place knew what was going to happen here. I had visited Eoto's Myspace earlier in the afternoon and was well pleased that what these guys were pulling off was nothing like SCI. It was refreshing to hear a definite tangent being taken in a side project as opposed to a ‘more of the same, just different’ approach. I almost got a word in with Travis, who manned most of the technical gadgets that evening, and he almost got to talking about the ease of using Ableton Live when some guy cut me off and began asking what the Cheese was doing in the summer. Although it sort of grated my glutes a little, the musician just rolled with it and kindly exchanged words with the obvious fan. With a huge jam fan base, I imagine smiling and saying the same things over and over again with an honest grin in your cheeks is just a necessary skill. Both Hann and Travis were very accessible to all the crowds well wishes and conversation, most of which had nothing to do with what I was interested in hearing them talk about, but that was my problem and not anyone else’s.

When the show started, it was easy to see why these two excellent musicians decided to take on this left field-ish electronic musical endeavor of theirs. They were having a ball. The format is one of total improvisation. The music is just pure never heard before dance beat, made hot and fresh while you watch. I overheard a fan ask if they were going to play a track off of Eoto’s album, to which the reply was no. Neither would be able to remember how to play it.

All and all the entire thing worked. The audience of mostly young neo-hippies, think homemade skirts, dreadlocks, faded Widespread Panic t-shirts, etc. did not seem disappointed at all at Eoto’s performance and danced like a bunch of club kidz. They even broke out the plastic glow jewelry. To me it makes perfect sense. If you can enjoy a good stomp to an extended twenty minute guitar solo, why wouldn’t you find your groove in a continuous wave of homemade house music? The point being: I dug it.

Tonight’s Picks: Scott McMahan sings a mighty pretty song. Check him out at the Downtown Grill and Brewery tonight.

Until next time, this is Strapping Young Lad, reminding you to have your pets spayed and neutered.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:24 AM | Permalink

Sunday turned out to be a pretty good. The fun started with a three-hour-plus rapier practice. It had been three weeks since I had crossed swords with anyone, and I was jonesing!

Afterwards, I hosted a poetry gathering. Poems were recited. Beer was quaffed. Bean soup (lotsa garlic and rosemary) was slurped. The day ended in a nice, hot tub of bathwater,
eating some of my homemade chess pie and talking poetry with a lady friend.

Ah, the simple pleasures of life ...

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The band includes Will Horton and Cooper Hardison—each the son of a Knoxville music icon—who wowed the crowd at last spring’s second annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash. Respectively, the teenagers are sons of Steve Horton, co-founder of legendary country swing band the Lonesome Coyotes, and veteran jazz guitarist Phil Hardison who has backed Nancy Brennan, among others.

“Cooper and Will brought the median age of attendees below 57,� quipped Nelda Hill, director of the Knox County Public Library Sights and Sounds Department. The Dylan festival, a project to raise money for the library, is a creation of the elder Horton.

“If there was a show-stopping act that night, it was Will and Cooper,� Hill added. “It's great to look at the future and see it knows all the same songs I do.�

Will, lead singer and harmonica player for the Black Cadillacs, is joined not only by Cooper (guitar and vocals) but cousin Matthew Hyrka (lead guitar and vocals); Phillip Anderson (bass); and Jesse Barden (drums).

The dividends of growing up in a musical family don’t extend solely along the paternal line. “The old man� might have introduced Will to a variety of music genres growing up, but, he credits his mother, Liz, as having a significant influence on his musical tastes by playing the Rolling Stones for him. Plus, teaching him some dance steps. The tribute show—at which numerous local bands cover their favorite Dylan songs—was Will and Cooper’s first gig together but Will’s public debut actually was about three years ago when he and Matthew, only in their mid-teens, played an open mic in Memphis.

Matthew and some other friends, including Phillip, actually started the Black Cadillacs in Memphis. When the band was in town, at Sassy Ann’s, for instance, Will sat in with them. Matthew and Phillip moved to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee and that’s when Will and his old schoolchum Cooper became full-fledged members. A fortuitous stroll completed the band lineup. “Matthew and I were walking around campus one day discussing the need for a drummer when we heard some really great drum licks coming from a nearby window. We jumped over this hedge and found the window and told the guy to meet us in the commons. And that’s how we met Jesse.�

$3 cover charge
8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28th
Corner Lounge
842 N. Central Ave.
865.971.1711

The Black Caddys next local gig will be at the Knoxville Track Club/Covenant Health marathon April 1.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ruby James has hair kinda like mine, so we’re automatically linked, (it’s a girl thing don’t ask.). Here’s is ruby red of course, which makes it seem flaming. I bet she looks like she’s glowing when she’s on stage. Ruby James also has an amazing signing voice, (unlike me). Her voice is a bit Natalie Merchant a bit Stevie Nicks, sung a bit like Mary J Blige and a bit like … Sheryl Crow. I know that sounds like a crazy combo but it’s not really. Think sultry, smooth, alto flavored voice, chocolate mouse comes to mind. And then think powerful, soulful, deep from the pit of your heart delivery. Musically she is a unique combo of rock and R & B, a female John Mayer. I love the way she jumps notes vocally, her mastery of her voice is impressive. And her lyrics come from her heart, she’s got something to say, which automatically gives her points in my book.

Tonight: Ruby James at Patrick Sullivan’s 8 PM

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:30 PM | Permalink

And now, for all of you down with the Five Two Oh, I give you Strapping Young Lad

The Oscars are just my yearly reminder on all the movies I said I wanted to see but didn’t get around to. I like movies well enough, it’s just that if I am going to drop twenty bucks on a few hours of entertainment, I’d prefer that a band and a beer buzz be involved. Now, I have been to theaters in the past that offered beer and food at your seat during current blockbuster releases. This concept is not currently available in Knoxville, but in other parts of the country it’s not so alien. This is a wonderful idea except for one thing: in a two hour movie, the hour and fifteen minute mark is usually a crucial story apex, the transition from the meat of the story to the exciting conclusion. In a two hour beer drink, the hour and fifteen minute mark is fifteen minutes past the time when you really, really, had to pee. You can see the dilemma.

I did see one, and only one, movie that won a coveted statue, Little Miss Sunshine. I somehow managed to miraculously rent it in spite of the mind erase devices they install in all Blockbusters. I know you have always suspected the presence of secret government brain scramblers at the rental places (they have them at the CD stores as well). It’s the reason you wander aimlessly around, aisle after aisle, as the titles on your mental ‘must see’ list dissolve away like bubbles from an Alka-Seltzer. You try to focus on your favorite actors faces, who is it you like again? Pauly Shore? Yeah, I like him, right? Biodome was a classic, right? It’s the entire reason people ever rent things like or Leprechaun: Back to the Hood or anything starring Hillary Duff. I must have been wearing my tinfoil hat the day I rented LMS, cuz it was way above par.

One thing I always remember, however, is da funk, and da funk was in Atlanta Friday night. Me and the boys in artvandalay took a trip down to Little Five Points on Friday to play a show at a club called The Five Spot. Not only did we get to play a great show, we were then treated by the super sharp funky style of Cadillac Jones. I mention this to my fellow Knoxvillians because on Friday, March 23rd we are going to repeat the whole shebang right here in K-town, at The World Grotto. Mark you calendars now and get your dancing pants back from the dry cleaners. Then you can go to the show and say ‘Damn, that Straps fellow was on the money on this one’.

Tonight's Picks: Eoto at the Grotto sounds like a winner for all your improvised real time loopy dance music needs. You could take a break and check out Grandpa’s Stash at the Preservation Pub while you’re down at the Square anyhow. Those boys got a pretty good thing brewin'.

I’d like to thank all the little people that made this moment possible…

-Straps

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:41 AM | Permalink

(editor's note: we had some difficulties with photos for this blog, so waited to publish til we fixed the problem. Even though the event is over, Tahlulah's blog is still a good read!)

I don’t know if this will get put up in time but in case it does, GO SEE CUTTHROAT SHAMROCK TONIGHT! They are playing at Preservation Pub, probably actually starting around 11 or 11:30, if past shows are any indication.

They are awesome; they are so awesome I have friends that drove over 6 hours to see them last year for St. Patty’s Day. Get out yer pirate gear, yer kilts, and yer leather; these men know how to throw a show! It's pirate music from the hollers of the Smoky Mountains rather than the Caribbean Sea, which does change things a wee bit. There is still dancing and drinking, just in Preservation Pub instead of some tropical isle. You can listen to them here. They are rather Billy Bragg, Pogue-esque-- well if they were kidnapped by pirates and then brought to East Tennessee. And you know you’ve never heard that unique mix before so do yourself a favor and - Go, Go, Go! I bet it won’t be long before their shows move to a bigger venue and a bigger and a, you get the picture. They won’t be a local secret for long!

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:25 AM | Permalink

Sometimes, I feel the need to pause for the cause, actually I feel it everyday. Rain or shine, hot or cold, my dog Irie and I go for a walk, the 5 mile or so kind. We have a couple different neighborhood routes; sometimes we go see Libby, Mocha, Gizmo, and the boxers. Sometimes we go see the pack of hybrid-hyena looking dogs at that corner house, and Otis. And then there are the days we get in the car first and head over to

Irie and I have several routes through Ijams as well, depends if we are running or walking, the time of day, and how many other people are there. See, while Irie and I are of the friendly variety we each have an alternate agenda which is not always conducive to being around lots of other people, or any for that matter! I’m praying and Irie is

You know how sometimes things hit us in life that make us stop and take stock of what it is we believe in anyway? You know when it seems like the rug is pulled out from under you? It makes you check in and ask, ‘what is it I’m living for’? See, at this point it was after 6 and the sun was beginning to set and we were out along the boardwalk, and the river was flowing, and the sky was lit up, and I was struck by the light. As we walked I watched the sunlight sink down and grow longer, the colors morphed into deeper hues and warmer tones, and I remembered something I used to think on often as a child. Does the sun need anyone to acknowledge that it rises and sets - to rise and set each day? I mean if we all lived like the people that lived underground in the Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis, (one of my favorite authors), and never saw the sun, it still would rise and set. The sun doesn’t need us to acknowledge its dance each day. And just because we don’t believe in it doesn’t make it any less true. When you are in a space where it’s down to the wire and you have to believe in a thing with every fiber of your being. The kind of down to the wire where you can’t go by what you see, otherwise you wouldn’t believe in a thing, like the sun, because you are in the dark at the moment and you can’t see the sun? That’s when you really need to know that you know that you know what it is you believe in. That’s when you need a good dose of vitamin T, Truth. Sometimes all you’ve truly got is what you believe and with the world continuously trying to ram subjectivity down my throat, I need to get away from manicured lawns and memos, and questions of consequence like ‘why did Britney shave her head?’, and all other things we humans revolve our lives around.

I started that walk with a chip on my shoulder, dragging a few bags of the crap one accumulates when you buy into stinkin’ thinkin’; negativity, lies, and the like. You know things that hold you down, like sludge in a swamp. Things that make it hard to grow and rise and experience that restored abundant life we have all been called to. But, after 5 miles of walking and breathing, praying and listening, looking and hearing, I walked out of there a whole new girl. That chip fell right off, the bags were dumped out into that sparkling water and the furrow in my forehead was replaced with smiles and laughter. I know many people swear by their therapists, their prescription meds, chocolate, or shopping, and I’m not knocking any of them, well perhaps shopping therapy? J But, not only is taking a walk at Ijams free, it’s also good for your body, mind, and spirit. And your dog’s, or friend’s, or neighbor’s, or relative’s body, mind, and spirit, so you get 2 for the free price of one. Go check it out and see how many smiling people you walk past. I LOVE Ijams, it is the closest slice of heaven I know of around here, and the best therapy in town!

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Welcome to the salubrious 520 blog, The Monday After. This is our attempt to blast through our Monday morning hangovers and offer up some quickie reviews of all the things we’re pretty sure we got into this past week, including gigs, concerts, movies, plays, and restaurants. Pop a couple of ibuprofens and enjoy.

Continue reading "Oscar Love" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:19 AM | Permalink

I drove up to Adult World, a large and tacky sex shop out in the middle of nowhere. (Why? Well, I was comparing prices for a pair of handcuffs. You asked.)

Adult World itself was very underwhelming, but the scenery was something else entirely. Next door, someone had erected a vast cross out of sheet metal. It made quite a contrast with the sex shop. I wish I had a wide enough lens to capture the full view.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's almost March -- the crocuses are blooming and the sap is rising.

Damn, I need a date.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:09 AM | Permalink

Hey, Tahlulah -- you have to try the tostados with ceviche de camarones at Senor Taco. It's freaking good! ;)

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Location: All over town

Drink of Choice: Margarita

Event: My Perfect Day

Friends: E

My perfect day would always fall on a Saturday. On Saturday's I wake up around eleven o'clock and leisurely proceed with the dolling up necessary for every modern woman. I would follow up my relaxing morning with some shopping, and by noon, I could be found perusing those local stores unique to good ole' Ktown.

Donnamite even features clothing from local designers like J Law, who's clothing line can be likened to Diesel. But, the jewelry, shoes, and bags are by far my absolute favorite items in the store. They always have great sales too, so if you've never been to Donnamite, you must go!!! I should be getting paid to write such good things about the place, but alas, I do it out of the goodness of my heart (my love for the shoes).

The second stop on my perfect day would most definitely be Serendippity. It is located in the shopping center on Kingston Pike behind Bistro by the Tracks. As a word of warning, this is not a store to enter if you are anything close to claustrophobic. It is a tiny store, but it's packed with a whole lot of style. They have jewelry, lots of clothes, endless accessories and pictures of celebrities, cut out of magazines, all over the store! The pictures are a fun way to show that Serendippity has the same trendy clothing styles that the celebs are currently wearing.

Continue reading "My idea of a perfect day" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last night, your humble correspondent ended up at Sapphire to give a listen to Sara Schwabe (illustrious webmistress of Knoxville 520) and Her Yankee Jass Band. I thoroughly enjoyed myself (drinking a bit more than is my custom these days in the process).

Sara has a lovely voice (best described as "sultry") and the two musicians backing her are quite talented (as well as funny). She did a hell of a job on "Cabaret". Some impromptu dancing by members of the Knoxville Swing Dance Association added to the fun.

The only negative aspect of the evening involves the men's restroom at Sapphire. The automated soap dispenser doesn't squirt soap on your hands -- it, um, ejaculates. Really. The whole tube-thingie thrusts forward in a rather, um, organic manner when activated. I'm going to need therapy now.

(editor's note: said webmistress did not solicit mention in Thirteen's blog, but appreciates it nonetheless.)

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:20 PM | Permalink

13letters.castpost.com/17338.html

What song is this? ;)

My version is a bit gentler than the original. That's the only clue you get.

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

"'If calamari rings were made from the squid they would be the size of tractor tires', he added."

Salutations, People of 520, I am Strapping Young Lad, I Come in Peace,

You ever get the feeling you are looking at a sign? Maybe you are standing witness to something that your gut is just adamantly certain is a grand omen. The oracles of the universe are smacking you on the face, but you still can't seem to see what the big meaning might be. These are the heebies jeebies that boogie woogie up my spine when I read stories involving hugungous cephalopods. It seems weird to me that a creature that is usually right at home six thousand feet below, usually very happy being an elusive creature of the deep, makes a trip up to the world of us meddlesome monkeys. It seems darn right eerie that stuff like this is happening more and more often and feels strangely connected to those inconveniently truthful photos of polar bears stranded on ice cubes round the North Pole. I just gotta feel a little bad for that colossal squid, though. Dude decided to venture up to strange waters, I guess to finally try the Chilean sea bass, and the ends up yanked out of the water, frozen, and shipped off to a place called Te Papa. Sometimes it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed when you’re a 900 pound invertebrate. Anyhow, the whole incident has got me feeling that some cosmic funkiness is afoot. That and we are gonna need one big ass bucket of marinara.

This is exactly what my lovely companion and I did last night. It was a quick scoot from the KMA to downtown on a fairly easy going Wednesday evening. Had a few drinks at Pres Pub, listened to Big Bad Jukebox play “Kid Charlemagne�, cruised around in the freakishly pleasant weather and ended up at a fairly decently crowded Cabaret Night at Sapphire. It was a darn fine evening, I tell ya.

Oh, and if you are looking for a hot investment tip, there was a gentleman hanging around downtown last night selling 40 dollar winning lottery scratchers for only twenty bucks. All the signs say this is a winner, how can you lose?

TONIGHT’S PICKS: Normally I wouldn’t recommend the same act twice in one week, but Matt Urmy is playing a goodbye Knoxville/movin to Nashville show with his band of cohorts tonight at Barley’s. If nothing else you should go to check out the relatively new to the scene Hudson K open up the show.

Keep your eyes on the signs, fair readers, and until next time,

This is Straps, signing off.

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:03 PM | Permalink

Is this thing still on…? Did I make it to round two? If you’re reading this I guess I did? Imagine that, with all the competition? Wow, thank you everyone for your vote, it’s an honor to share a bit of my life in Knoxville with you. As a token of my deep appreciation I’ll be sharing some of my all time favorite places here in K-town. This one is especially hard though, because I love it so. And I can pretty much guarantee that when you check it out for yourself, you too will love it, and tell your friends and they will love it, and tell their friends... And you know how it goes. Before long I’ll have to wait in line to get in.

So there is a spot right here in Knoxville that has tacos and a salsa bar that rivals those found in Tijuana. Not exactly the same mind you, for those of you reading who have had the pleasure of a taco stand in Tijuana; you won’t be outside, and you won’t hear honking horns, Spanish propaganda over the megaphone, and get the old school bottles of coke straight from the cooler, nor smell all the smells, but the food is oh so close. However, rather than be selfish and keep the goodness to myself, I will divulge all that is fabuloso about Senor Taco, because you, my fine 520 readers, need to go and experience a bit of Tijuana right here. And because I consider those that work there friends and I would love to see them prosper and grow. Senor Taco has everything going for it, great authentic food, fabulous atmosphere, prime location, and the price is perfecta!

Continue reading "Bienvenidos 520 lectores" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Downtown Knoxville, you’ve come a long way, baby. For too long you’ve been the
awkward middle child of East Tennessee, locked in a tug-of-war sibling rivalry
between Chattanooga and Nashville. So what do you do when you’re not daddy’s
little republican or an elitist, hit-churning, business mogul? With fists in
the air, you claim your individuality, dye your hair purple, shop at Amvets,
vote for Kerry, and rebel your little heart out! There’s no doubt that
downtown Knoxville has become quite the little artists’ haven and developed
its own sense of style, so in the midst of this pseudo-bohemian-rock
star-artist revolution, it's no surprise that we find Lox Salon fueling the
scene.

Continue reading "Lox rocks!" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:55 PM | Permalink

Nearly every month, college radio station WUTK's dynamic Friday night "Funhouse" hosts Derek and Rob bring a live music line-up to the stage at Barley's Taproom. In 2006, we saw pairings of bands like Flesh Vehicle with The Shazam, Plan A with Cornbred Blues Band, and The Lost Brakemen with Nug Jug. The fact of the matter is, regardless of what kind of music you like, there's always great live music to be found at one of these shows. This year proves no different, as this Friday those "Funhouse" fellas bring you the smooth acoustic stylings of Brendon James Wright, and the driving Southern rock sounds of Athens, Georgia band Southern Bitch.

Sure, not everyone can be pleased all of the time. Now, however, is the time to treat yourself to a night out at a venue buzzing with cool folks, great beer, and fantastic music. Get thee to Barley's Taproom this Friday, and line 'em up. You're in for one hell of a good night.

Where: Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria
When: Friday, February 23
Time: 10:00 p.m.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:18 PM | Permalink

Stacy Mitchhart, “The Blues Doctor�, is returning to Knoxville with his fabulous 7-piece band, Saturday, February 24, for a smoke-free show at Knoxville Museum of Art. The show begins at 8:00 pm.

Based out in Nashville, Mitchhart and his band created quite a stir on Market Square last June, headlining the first annual Hard Knox Blues Bash, and they’ve rocked the house at KMA before when they performed for the “Alive into 2006!� New Year’s Eve party.

Winner of the Albert King Most Promising Guitarist Award at the 2003 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Stacy Mitchhart has a smooth and sultry, provocative delivery, reminiscent of legendary R & B performers. A consummate showman, always dressed to the nines, he has captivated audiences worldwide with his teasing smile, quick wit, and a taste of blue humor to go along with his masterful guitar work and strong vocals.

This will be a show where you can let your hair down and have a good time. Dress is casual to as spiffy as you wanna be. There will be two cash bars, free popcorn, and F.A.T.S. BBQ will have some other tasty treats for sale. Tickets for reserve seats at tables are $20/$16 for non-members, and $18/$14 for museum members and students with ID. General admission is $11 for non-members and $9 for museum members and students with ID. For reserve tickets and information, call 865-525-6101 ext. 229. Tickets will also be available at the door at 7:30 pm.

The Stacy Mitchhart Saturday Night Special Show is sponsored by Knoxville520.com, Mike Scourby-RE/MAX Properties, East Tennessee Public Television, WUOT-91.9FM, MetroPulse and Cherokee Distributing Company.

Stacy Mitchhart (and a close fan) at the Hard Knox Blues Bash, Market Square

(local photos by Ray Brown)

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:39 AM | Permalink

“I’m going straight down to the Quarter, pour beer on myself and try to get on COPS, wearin chili pepper boxers and my Ray Charles shades� – from Fat Tuesday by Greg Horne.

Isn’t it exciting? We’re only a few hours of editing away from the anticipated release of Girls Gone Wild Part 52, Ta-Tas of Mardi Gras 07!!! We can finally catch up with all the recent escapades of our favorite millionaire date rapist. The last one left so many unanswered questions.

Jackass perverts aside, I hope everybody enjoyed their Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday, or Carnival in an appropriate method: wandering in circles for miles while drinking yards of brightly colored libations, flashing flesh for plastic trinkets, getting pick-pocketed, relieving yourself in random street corners, throwing up king cake and muffaletta on a close friend. If you didn’t get to in reality, hopefully you did at least in spirit.

I hope you extracted all your ya-yas, cuz its time to kick it Lent style. It’s the perfect season to make all those personal improvements you’ve been slackin on since New Years. 40 days and nights to finally get rid of some of those nasty habits like smoking, drinking, swearing, eating oleo straight out the tub, puppy kicking, what have you. You can do it! If Reverend Ted Haggard can kick his nasty habit of snorting meth off of a rent-a-studs backside in only twenty one days, think what you can do with twice that much time!

Me? I’m gonna take one for the team by not participating in Lent this year (or next year, or ever) so that all you boozeless/meatless people can get your good times vicariously through me. All you have to do is find me out and about and ask me how much fun I’m having. Then you can watch me eat a burger, tilt back a glass of bitter, and I will tell you how friggin great I feel. It’s one of the many altruistic services I provide to the needing public.

Ok, I’ve got to put on my serious pants for a moment:

As of today, Knoxville is losing a couple of its best inspired creators, for the time being anyhow. Local musician, sound sculptor, artist, producer and engineer, Andre Hayter, and his wife, the gifted dancer, choreographer, performance artist and student of the healing arts, Angela Hill, probably right now enroute to their new home in Sydney, Australia.

Angela has danced just about everywhere a person can dance in this town. She taught dance and choreographed pieces for several studios around Knoxville, including UT, Go Contemporary Dance Works, and Circle Modern Dance, which she was a core member of for many years. She is a totally gifted mover and a bit of a poet as well. She is well known for her spoken word and dance solos she has performed over the years, often at Modern Dance Primitive Light, the annual holiday time performance of Circle Modern. To me she is always heavy in thought but light on the feet.

Like any good bass player, Andre was mostly heard and not seen around this town. His name may not ring a bell, but there is a good chance if you have been out and about in this town in the last decade or so, you have heard or seen his work. He has played in the scene with many bands, including Difficult Children, the Jodie Manross Band, Hummus, Mikel Grubb Band, and most recently, the short lived Teleskope. He is also a gifted engineer and producer that has worked on numerous local albums and demos. He, along with local Matt Roberts, created the interactive sculpture that surrounds the entrance to the KMA’s hands on children’s gallery. He also helped design one of the best backyard slip n’ slides the Bearden area of Knoxville has ever seen.

The most exciting thing these two incredible souls have done in the last few years was to combine their powers WonderTwin style in the form of Ahsquared Productions. With Dre’s musical mad science and Angela’s gifts of movement, the two produce pieces where the lines between musician and dancer gets blurred through the use of motion sensors, computers, and other technological hoo doo. I have been assured that Ahsquared will continue to blossom in the land down under. We back on this side of the world can keep up with all their beautiful exploits at www.ahsquared.com, when they get around to updating the site. (They have been a little busy as of late, packing up everything they own and shipping it as far as one can possibly ship something). If a butterfly can flutter in Tunisia and cause a storm in Miami, you can bet good money that the storm that comes off of these two’s wings will be mind boggling. So, to Angela and Andre, I say on behalf of Knoxville, we love and miss you already, safe journeys.

Tonight’s Picks: Yonder Mountain String Band is the big ticket pick for this evening. Then go have a glass at Sapphire and do some crooning of your own, Cabaret style. I have also heard rumor that Ben Maney and the Countless Sheep will be performing tonight at the Grotto, but I can neither confirm or deny that at this time.

G’day Til the Next Soiree,

Strapping Young Lad

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:08 PM | Permalink

One advantage of being both a swordsman and a photographer is that I have interesting props to use during a photoshoot.



Personally, I prefer how my blade and gorget (it's throat armor, not bondage gear!) look on my friend Summer.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

For me to say I have always been an environmentalist would be like saying I have always been a blogger (Although thanks to a genius, I became part of a blog this summer. I have been aware of what was going on, I just haven’t been actively doing something about it, until now.

It’s difficult to define environmental concerns. You have local concerns (polluted streams, litter on the side of the road, hazardous waste, erosion, smog), you have global concerns (clean air, clean drinking water, wildlife concerns, global warming – 97% of climatologists agree global
warming are caused by human activities, unlike politicians, it is their job to research the issue)
and you have national concerns (mostly economic, energy supply, energy cost). And someone how they all mesh into this umbrella called environmental concerns that we can either hug (pun intended) - or we can say, “I only care about umbrellas (environmental concerns) when it rains (affects me).

Taking a quick look at history we can see how primary energy supplies have evolved from wood to coal to oil. We moved from wood because we burned all of western Europe’s forests (those rolling Irish hills weren’t always green…), we moved from coal because of air quality issues, and
oil is running out (not to mention wars?). I would now like to officially remove oil from our discussion, since it is mainly for automobiles (impacts global warming), although actions of oil companies are crucial to follow and we will return to this later (i.e. BP, Shell). But I want to talk about electricity production. The question is what is next? That answer is our solution. Our generation gets to stand the shoulders of decades of environmentalists and be labeled “the Green generation.� We get to answer the Beatles.

Let me first discuss the problems with using coal as a main energy supply. While, TVA has led the Southeast in cleaning up coal plants by installing scrubbers to reduce S0x and N0x (billions of dollars by the way), there is no way to completely clean up coal plants. There is a myth of clean coal. There is no such thing as clean coal. Asthma, lung disease, acid rain, global warming, mercury poisoning, are just the tip of the iceberg. I want to say – there is nothing sustainable about burning material that took millions of years to create. It is disrupting a natural ecological cycle, and it is in this disruption we see long-term consequences. There is also a tiny problem with mountain top removal. I could write an entire blog about this, but I think this video is suffice.

So who cares? Why should I care? It isn’t my mountains. What about your air quality, while it has improved, the years of coal deposition has taken time to build up, giving our area higher cancer rates, and asthma rates, than we had 30 years ago. It is kind of like how it has
taken our climate a while to adjust to the outpouring of C02. Just real quickly… global warming is more than just “oh, so I get to wear short sleeves longer in the year.�

Fact – sea levels are rising. If they rise as much as many scientists expect them too (once again, they do this for a living, not just reading it for some committee) then we are looking at upwards of 1 billion people being displaced from coastal regions. You think population growth has been unprecedented in the past? Try adding 1 billion people to a smaller land mass, see how high property values go then, see how high food prices go up, say good bye to that big back yard. It affects everyone. Then we have more people occupying more land, how do we produce
more food? Do we keep adding fertilizer, etc., burning up the soils? Well… the soils may already be getting “burned up.� Fact - Heat drives our weather cycle. We may have more
rain, more intense storms, because of the increased uplift of air, however, it will also dry up
faster because of the increased temperatures. Processes become accelerated. Let’s include THAT in the economic analysis. I once heard a representative from the Bush administration say, “Agriculture is only 20% of the economy.� Ladies and gentleman, if you believe measuring the importance of food supply by dollar amount is the way to do it, you’re an idiot. The best indicator of where our economy is going is agriculture. We first, and foremost, need food. Imagine if the price of food skyrocketed, do you not think the price of everything else would increase? Everyone suffers.

Anyways, so yes, we need to move away from fossil fuels. I hope I was preaching to the choir on that.

Now let’s take a deep breath of fresh air (pun absolutely intended) and let’s talk about renewable
energies – defined as wind , solar , geothermal, wave , and tidal . The single greatest attribute for renewable technologies is that they do not disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem - they embrace it. (In other words, the sun shines everyday, the wind blows everyday, waves crash, and the earth stays warm... coal, oil, and natural gas don’t EXACTLY do that… maybe only a couple million years off). We
can rest assure these technologies are not creating some horrible ecosystem imbalance.

Now, the second thing that is important to realize is that each technology is not available everywhere. For instance, in Tennessee we would probably not use geothermal, wave, or
tidal power. I don’t think we have active volcanoes in Tennessee, and I haven’t found a beach – but let me know if you find one, I do have a surfboard in my room (its true). This leaves wind and solar energy.

But you have to make sure you still have an adequate regime for the technology. The wind doesn’t blow enough in Knoxville for current technology to support a wind turbine, but the sun shines enough (90% of Tennessee can use solar energy very effectively, the other 10% would be perfect for wind energy). Renewable energy is about meshing with your environment, and generating electricity needs through sustainable practice. I would also like to point out that each of these technologies have free fuel, meaning that you don’t have to pay (or the government doesn’t have to subsidize) the cost of fuel and the disposal of waste.

Wind technologies are a little more prone to skepticism. They have had their growing pains, but like any other energy supply, they have learned how to overcome these issues. With utility-scale wind technologies they must be sited where there are no endangered speicies, no migratory bird paths, and in high wind regimes (in Tennessee, along the ridges of the Cumberland Plateau and Appalachian Mountains.) These issues are all studied before any wind turbine project goes up. The bird lesson was learned in Altamont Pass, CA. Modern wind farms kill less birds per wind turbine than an average house cat, and certainly less than a cell phone tower . Wind turbines operate around 33% efficiency (i.e., the wind blows at the rated speed that percent of the time) and this is the same percent as Nuclear Power, and just about 20% below coal plants. A new study just came out showing that we could put wind turbines off of the Mid-Atlantic coastthat could provide power to cities such
as NYC, Washington D.C., Miami, Boston, Baltimore, Atlantic City, (take your pick of East Coast cities). It is important to realize that we need to spread renewable technologies out, to ensure that if the wind decides not to blow in one place, it is blowing in another place (critics will argue against windfarms saying ‘if you put all the turbines in one place’ I’m saying don’t ? ). If you want to see a wind farm, go to Oliver Springs, TN (literally a 45 minute drive) and I promise… you will not be disappointed.

It will take time for the United States to build itself into a nation that can rely on renewable energy for its energy supply. Transmission lines must be upgraded, and extended to accommodate energy rich regions. Infrastructure must be put in place, to bring down the cost of the supplies of renewable energies. Legislation must be passed (like a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) – if you hear of Carbon Tax, know that it is favoring Nuclear Technology, of which we have not solved security or waste issues). When a national RPS passes, you will hear complaints of “here is how much it will cost to get to 20% by 2020. The hardest step to 20% is getting the first 2%. But, if we demand it, if we take a stand, we will get this technology. The infrastructure is still being set in place, but it is coming. It has to come.

And for all the assholes in Washington, DC who are going to bitch about “jobs
lost� for coal miners, let me tell you something, coal miners lose jobs when coal companies are able to replace 20 miners with 1 large machine and dynamite (mountain top removal), that’s jobs lost. And for those miners looking for a job, why don’t you try out the renewable energy field? Studies show that switching to renewable sources would create 5 times as many jobs as relying on fossil fuels.

Knoxville, don’t gamble on your future, don’t be fooled. Don’t listen when they say “If we used only energy efficiency� or “if we used only wind� or “if we used only solar�. We aren’t going to use just wind, we aren’t going to use just solar, and we aren’t going to use just efficiency. They need to be all combined. We will not be replacing fossil fuel use immediately, but we will
be reducing it drastically.

Nuclear energy experts don’t believe that the energy will be ready for another 10 years, and even then, they aren’t sure how to store the waste. This is a waste that takes 1000 years just to halfway decompose, that’s a SERIOUS issue. Nuclear industry representatives have a
goal of maintaining the current percent of electricity generation. In the Southeast, we must fight to make sure this doesn’t increase. Don’t get me wrong, we will have to maintain a diversity of coal, nuclear, but we need to increase renewables. Coal will be reducing its share of the market,
renewables increasing, and nuclear maintaining the same, and efficiency will also eat a huge chunk.

Just keep your eyes open Knoxville, let’s use what we can, our economy will
improve, our environment will improve, and our lives will improve. I’ll talk to you ramblers tomorrow, if you have questions, leave them in a comment, I’ll personally email you back. Thanks for stopping by.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:56 AM | Permalink

...Can bloody well *make* quiche and eat it, too.

Mushroom Quiche a la "Thirteen"

Preheat oven to 400F.

Throw in a bought pie crust (but not too hard). Let it bake for about 10 minutes.

Beat three eggs, imagining they are Republicans. Sprinkle enough thyme in to make it look speckled. Add way too much salt and black pepper. Add 3/4 cup of milk.

Sautee six ounces of sliced mushrooms in butter for approximately five minutes.

Take the pie crust out. Curse. Remember to use oven mitt next time.

Sloppily toss mushrooms in pie crust. Pour egg/milk mixture over everything and put it in oven (without spilling too much).

Bake for approximately 45 minutes. Enjoy!

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Spent the weekend about 110 miles and 500-or-so years away from Knoxvegas, attending Black Gryphon, a weekend event held by The Barony of Thor's Mountain, Knoxville's local chapter of the Society of Creative Anachronism.

I performed in two plays at the event: "The Hawk-Eyed Sentinel" and "The Wonder Show" by Miguel de Cervantes. I had a couple short parts --an egoistic governor and a scrappy little shoemaker-- in my inaugral venture into acting; Never thought I'd end up on stage, but it does suit my natural hamminess.



The SCA? Yes, we dress up like the Middle Ages and hit each other with blunt objects. No, I wouldn't advise teasing us about it. Never piss off anyone wearing armor and carrying a sword. That's the basis of chivalry, after all. Politeness matters in an armed society.



All 'Miniver Cheevy' snarkiness aside, the SCA is collection of people who do. There are people living in Knoxville who can make chainmail armor or cook a feast for 120 or sew beautiful Elizabethan gowns or make beautiful, ornate, and functional handicrafts. I admire them greatly.

The event was great. I didn't screw up any lines. I made new friends. I attended my first-ever feast. (I was defeated, in the end, by the sheer amount of food. The conversation was wonderful, too.)

And then there was a delightfully carnal meeting with a new friend on Saturday night ...

. . . but that's another story.

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:03 PM | Permalink

Location: Chili's, Blue Cats, Hannah's, the Pita Pit

Drink(s) of choice: Margaritas, El Presidente Margaritas, Pond Water (seriously, it's a drink at Chili's), Jager bombs, Bud Light, Red Headed Sluts, Michelob Ultra, Jose Cuervo

Event: Bon Jovi cover band ~Slippery When Wet~ at Blue Cats...and the rest was just a bonus

Friends: E, her sister, and many other friends

Last Friday, my friends and I set out to see a Bon Jovi cover band, Slippery When Wet, perform at Blue Cats. We decided to drop by Chili's first for dinner and drinks, because 2 for 1 is always a good idea. We consumed a good number of the 2 for 1 margaritas, which are very tasty.

I also tried their El Presidente margarita, which basically tastes like one big shot of Jose Cuervo. I also tried a new drink at the waiter's recommendation, Pond Water. This drink was pure liquor and although I'm not really sure how it was made, I do know that it was wonderful and I would recommend it to everyone. In fact, I'll do that right now! Go to Chili's and try a Pond Water, don't try an El Presidente!

After we had consumed a sufficient amount of alcohol we headed over to Blue Cats to catch the band. This was around 10 PM, about the time the band was scheduled to take stage. Generally I've found when attending concerts at Blue Cats, my friends and I encounter forty-five minute long lines and a huge crowd once inside. But that was not the case this evening. Our eight dollar cover charge was quickly taken and we were inside were we observed a small crowd that had to be less than 150 people. It was a little disappointing, but we had fifteen people in our group, and when you know 10% of the crowd it's easy to make your own fun.

After a couple of Jager bombs, which is Jager and Red Bull, the band took the stage. Slippery When Wet played all of the familiar Bon Jovi songs like "You Give Love a Bad Name." but the most exciting song they played for my group of friends was "Living on a Prayer." E and her sister are the biggest fans of Bon Jovi who have ever lived.

They rushed the stage as if it was the actual band and even reached out to try to touch the Bon Jovi impersonator. This was one of those "had to be there to be funny" moments and I laughed about it with them for the next 30 minutes. I'm not the biggest Bon Jovi fan that ever walked the face of the earth but I still had a blast.

The people in attendance who are huge Bon Jovi enthusiasts seemed to really enjoy the evening as they sang along to every word. The lead singer kind of looked like Bon Jovi... Well, not really but he tried hard with his really, really tight pants. Seriously, I don't know how he got those things on. And we were pretty sure that he stuffed them, it was hilarious.

The concert ended at 1 a.m. with the band singing "Shout," which I'm pretty sure Bon Jovi never sang, but nonetheless, it was a nice touch. We decided it was to early for our night to be over and decided to move the party to Hannah's. Hannah's is a fun club to go to when you have a big group of people with you.

They play eighties music downstairs and rap music upstairs and it is always a 21 and up club, so it caters to an older crowd. As opposed to places like Blue Cats, Tonic, and Cotton Eyed Joes who generally have a good number of loitering minors. It is almost always free for women to get in and guys have to cough up a five dollar cover charge.

Hannah's is the most fun in the summer when you can sit outside and talk. There is usually never a line at the bar outside, whereas, the bar inside the upstairs and downstairs generally have steady lines. We lost E's sister and some friends for a while but rediscovered them just before leaving. Several members of our party also fell asleep at a few of the tables at Hannah's and were threatened to be arrested by police patrolling the Old City, so they say. We finally collected everyone to our various cars to make one last stop at the Pita Pit, which is open until 4 a.m.

The food was amazing and after we ate my friends, who were all plastered by this point, caused a huge scene, which turned out to be quite humorous for those of us who still had part of our intellect intact. The Pita Pit always seems to make for a great stop after a long night of partying.

Derived conclusions are:

(1) The best band to see at Blue Cats in the Breakfast Club: an eighties cover band and they will be back in March

(2)Hannah's is a fun stop if your friends don't get arrested, and always finish up at the Pita Pit.

(3) Go try a Pond Water!

I hope you decide to keep me around for a little longer because I enjoy sharing my stories with you! That's it! Thanks for reading my blog.

XOXO~
Dancing Queen

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Alas, the fun “Cocktails� event is back, the date Wednesday, February 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This time our theme is “Addicted.�

We’ve found a cool film archivist named Bradley Reeves who has lots of vintage footage of Elvis and George Jones, Shatner, etc., all a little, um, drug-fueled. REALLY cool stuff, great to watch. And if you get Bradley talking about Cas Walker, he’ll tell you some stories you’ll never believe.

Oh, it’s gonna be fun. And I just might get drunk again to prove it.

Matthew Newell

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sitting a mere block from my house sits what we like to refer to as "The Big Blue House." It is in this house where many life-altering decisions have been made. For instance, the
decision to go to Las Vegas last year was made there (perhaps soley based on the fact we were able to enter a National Beer Pong Tournament. Yes Knoxville, you are home to the National Lampoon's National Beer Pong
Champions - no autographs, please). The decision to return to Vegas was also
made at the same house. But the greatest decision of all, was the instinctive decision made by the rentees of the house, to create a kegerator, not just any kegerator, but "The Brucerator." Covered by many famous Bruce's, this converted refrigerator has been the ignition switch to several forgettable nights. I am not here to talk about things I can't remember. I am here to talk about the culture of conversation that said
Brucerator stirred up Friday night.

My Vegas friends have bought this Vegas guidebook. I was always more of a Choose Your Own Adventure kind of guy (Or Encyclopedia Brown!). The truth is, I hate
planning. It reminds me of the time my Mom "planned" to encourage family bonding by visiting every lighthouse along the Outer Banks of NC. Really cool idea? No. Not at all. Not when a 5 hour trip ends up lasting 16 hours, riding 3 ferries, getting crapped on not once, but twice, by the seagulls your brother and sister continue to feed. Not to mention you are riding on this giant metal ship which absorbs every bit of sunlight, turning it
into one of the finest saunas you have ever set foot in. Although memorable, I don't think it morphed into a family tradition (a family tradition example: Every year my sister
(14), my brother (18), myself (22), and my parents put on Christmas pajamas (always from Old Navy) and take 3 rolls worth of pictures for a family Christmas card. Awesome.)

That was the plan, head out to a random town, to travel through bars finding
themes that we could parallel to Journey songs. However, the choose your own adventure ended up being that it was too f’in cold outside, and upon some research, the temperature was going to get below 20 degree. (Salt doesn't
melt ice below 20 degrees) I live in the mountains of NC, I can drive on snow, but I say no to ice.

I also had no clue that I had walked in to a birthday party. Not in the sense
that there were balloons, birthday hats, and streamers, but in the sense that the birthday girl was walking around giving away free shots. I declined, but I watched all of my friends celebrate this once-a-year occasion. I ducked out the door early wondering where the night might have gone if I stayed. As I met up with three friends the next day for brunch, I found it humorous that all of us had headaches, three from the night
before, and one (me) from battling sickness. I spent the entire day Sunday battling sickness by turning on events such as the Daytona 500 (which is awesome, I fell asleep and woke up at the end!) and the NBA All-Star game (fell asleep, never woke back up… not until the morning).

So Knoxville, it’s voting day! And President’s Day! I wonder what percentage
of Knoxville will come out to the polls? I hope enough. It’s going to be sad to see one of us go, we’ve all come running out of the gates, but which one of us will be the Knoxville 520 Barboro? I’m not sure of the odds, but I’ll hopefully be back tomorrow with the promised blog on our energy future, and the green revolution. Keep it in the road!

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Drink of Choice: ...

Event: Black Out V-Day...AKA Valentine's Day!

Friends: Alisa, Colby, Michelle, E...who now prefers to be called Fergalicious in my blog, and assorted others

Happy belated V-Day!!!! I thought it would be important to get the ever-essential discussion of Valentine's Day out of the way, and it is better to do this late then never at all. A lot of people love Valentine's Day and one of my roommates claims it to be her favorite holiday. She even refers to it as some sort of a sacred holiday. At the age of 22 she still buys and hands out valentine's to all of her friends (and by friends I mean everyone she knows). She loves to be loved, as do I, but I have never felt this odd propensity toward Valentine's Day.

And yes, I have had plenty of boyfriends on the big day but even years that I've had a boyfriend I still haven't enjoyed it! Oddly enough, the best Valentine's that I had was during the last two years of college, toting my "single" status on this fateful lovers' day, and hence been forced to spend the evening with my closest girlfriends. Forced is the wrong word. Forced is the word that you generally use to describe something you don't want to do. I was more or less, well, blessed--for lack of a better word, to spend this holiday with my other single girlfriends. Of course, if any of us had boyfriends, we would have been forced (cursed) to spend the day with them. But, thankfully my friends and I were lucky enough to spend this time together. After the second year of this tradition, we dubbed the holiday "Black Out V-Day." We all wear black and go out to dinner somewhere in K-town to see what shenanigans might ensue after the meal. These nights have honestly been a thousand times better than any Valentine's Day that I ever shared with a boy. No offense guys, I am sure that one of you out there could wow me, I just haven't dated you yet! This blog is a tribute to Black Out V-Days, past and present.

The Best Black Out V-Day happened last year. Most of my friends and I were twenty, one year shy of that beloved legal age that we all longed for, and decided to eat at Myabi's, Japanese Steakhouse. There were 12 of us girls dressed up in our black, and after taking pictures, and then more pictures (with 12 girls and God only knows how many cameras you can imagine how long this took), we drove to Myabi's. I can't speak for the rest of the group, but the girls in my car had a blast on the way to the restaurant. We listened (and rapped) to, Kanye West's "Gold Digger." Our ridiculous behavior in the car ranks high in my top 10 college memories. Eventually we arrived at Myabi's which is the perfect place to have a Black Out Day. If you have ever eaten at a Japanese steakhouse, you are familiar with having the food cooked at your table. The waiter was a handsome bloke, and I could see him quickly calculating his odds of making an impression on at least one of the girls in our group. After, he realized that our "all in black" group wasn't a cult, he became even more interested, and I guess I can't blame him, seeing as how our all being out together on V-Day shouted our available status. He helped us have a great time by being incredibly entertaining, to say the least. The food was amazing and I highly recommend Myabi's to anyone who hasn't been. The soup, salad, shrimp, chicken, fried rice (my fave!), and filet mignon cannot be beat!

We decided the best plan would be to head back to campus and drink until we forgot that it was V-Day (those of us who were underage just went back to our dorm at this point and so the rest of this story is narrated through an older friend). The next task came in the form of obtaining alcohol and after an hour of searching, calling, and checking every refrigerator and closet that they had access to in a5 mile vicinity, they finally found luck with one of my friends from high school. They picked her up from her apartment and she rode with us to pick her boyfriend up from his dorm. He went to a popular liquor store on the strip with $150 they had handed him and a "surprise us!" Why they sent him in to pick up random liquor I'll never know, I think they said something about not wanting to be seen by church members. Apparently they go to church with a lot of "closet drinkers".

Anyways, Ten minutes later, he came out of this liquor store with two, huge, brown paper bags and the contents held within were the most ridiculous items that my friends had ever seen. The largest containers of Smirnoff Vanilla, Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum, Smirnoff Triple Distilled, Bacardi Coconut, and Bacardi Razz. I find all of these disgusting to this day because of the quantities that I have since consumed with the exception of Smirnoff XXX.

After the dinner, the pick up, the drop off, the ransom note (just kidding), and the forty five minute drive back to campus occurred, my friends were actually too tired to drink. All of the trouble that they went to purchase alcohol for the evening had not served them well. That liquor lived in a suite-mate's closet until its consumption later, which believe me, didn't take nearly as long as you think it might. Between random drunk nights, Thursday nights to Tonic, Friday nights to Barley's, and Saturday night's to the Downtown, it didn't take long at all for them to need another trip to the liquor store.

I realize that this is not your typical "party story," nor does it involve dancing, which is my namesake. I hope you're not disappointed. I thought this would be an enjoyable story that does, in fact, highlight some wonderful places to go in good ole' Knoxville. Feel free to leave a comment or two!

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, I hope I haven't let the team down, but I didn't get out this weekend. I was too excited and busy putting up decorations and baking my Presidential Seal Cake. This magical day only comes but once a year! So hard not to get swept up in all the holiday spirit.

Not exactly true, mind you. In actuality I had to venture over the mountains to a quaint North Carolina village called Lewisville. I had a hot gig Sunday morning at Shallowford Presbyterian Church. It was their annual Jazz Service Sunday. I got to sit in with a great bunch of players and we played boppin' arrangements of some holy day standards. How they found 5 Presbyterians with enough rhythm to form a jazz group, I’ll never know. The day’s activities also got me way ahead in my church service attendances, having been to three in the last six months. The band was hot, the place was packed, and the cover was optional. Although the bar was a bit lacking, I put my stamp of approval on Jazz for Jezus Day. I sincerely thank those kind folks for letting me in on that.

Now, speaking of things presidentialish, today is a very important day for you to do your civic minded duty and vote. For me. For real. The first day of judgment is upon us. Having little to no shame, I feel no hesitation in begging for your vote. What does a vote for Straps get you, the mild mannered patron of the 520? Peace of mind and security. Imagine the horror of a Tuesday afternoon interweb surf turned ugly because, heavens forbid no post from the Lad. Have the terrorists won? What’s going on? I feel dizzy.

The power to prevent this is in your hands. What will you say to the children of tomorrow when they look up to you and ask “Mommy/Daddy, who was Strapping Young Lad?�

When you have to look into those little eyes, holding back your own tears, and explain the untimely demise of a blog that went before its time, you will have to think “I could have done something. Why didn’t I vote?� I wouldn’t wish the weight of that burden on anyone. Ask not what Straps can do for you, but what you can do for Straps.

Actually, in the honest spirit of Abe-y Baby that we celebrate today, I am sure all of the Ultimate Survivor folks appreciate everyone out in cyber-land that have taken the time to read our little entries. Please take the time to figure out how to vote for the one you like best.

Monday Night Picks: I think I’m going with Matt Urmy at the Preservation Pub for some introspective singer/songwriter goodness. If you can, check out Luminescent Orchestrii on WDVX’s Blue Plate Special today at noon. I am kicking myself for missing them last night, but at least I can enjoy a webcast of them today. I also think everyone that goes out tonight should sport beards and a stove pipe hat. It will look like the day the Phil Pollard clones took over K-town.

Til next time, My Fellow 520ers, I Am Not A Crook,
-The Occasionally Honorable Strapping Young Lad.

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:31 PM | Permalink

Life in the shadows of Knoxvegas can be quite interesting.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:33 PM | Permalink

Looking through the window at the Miller Building, downtown Knoxville. I wonder if he still works there?

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Greetings Gracious 520Readers,

Has everyone seen the ‘Knoxville Barbie’ email going around? I cried I laughed so hard when I first saw it J I guess I’ve lived here just the right amount of time to ‘get’ all of the references plus know enough people that I can easily think of someone that fits in each of the categories. Well, most of them anyway.

My current top 3 favorites are;

“This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and a bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.�

“This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9 mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills) unless you are a cop, then we don’t know what you are talking about.�

NOT RIGHT! Who made these up? Does anyone know? I’d like to buy them a beer or a bake them a cake or something. They are, however, missing some key Barbies if you ask me.

Where is 4th and Gill Barbie? The UT Barbie? Where is good ole’ Gatlinburg Barbie? Old City Barbie? K.A.R.M. Barbie (the homeless live here too)? Bearden Barbie? North Knox Barbie? And last but not least the infamous ‘Fellini’ Kroger Barbie?

Can’t you just see it? UT Dorm Barbie could be all done up in the latest Old Navy fashions, her backpack chock full of books, her hair in a ponytail. She’d also come with her ipod and a Daily Beacon in hand.

Bearden Barbie would be in the latest Buckle fashions, driving a Volkswagen Jetta circa 2005 at the latest. Her hair is perfect, her nails are always a French manicure, and she’s on her way to Aveda to get a facial.

Fellini Barbie … she could be the first woman I saw there! She could have raggedy hair, and be missing most of her teeth. She could have on those hot pink stirrup pants (yes, you did read that right) and the flats on, which accentuated the straps on the stirrup pants. Besides the fact that they went ‘out’ 20 years, why was she wearing them, it was snowing? She would have that lime green sweater on and of course she’d have a half smoked cigarette dangling from her lips. She’d come with a Food Stamp card, and a few kids. But she wouldn’t have a cart to shop because Save-A-Lot is just across the parking lot and that’s where she goes. She’s at Kroger’s’ to cash her check.

Can you tell where I live? I can just see them now, each with her unique outfit and style, and specific environment and ‘world view’. I can’t wait to make more,…

So, my 520 readers what Barbies would you like to see and what would they look like? Ken’s too people. Oh and if anyone hasn’t seen the email – let me know.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Strapping Young Lad comin' atchya.

So I hope you survived your hump day holiday festivities and that love flittered and spread around freely through the streets of Knoxville like a bunch of sand fleas. Now that the last echoes of all those silly love songs are waning we can get back to our normal daily affairs.

And one of my new daily affairs just happens to be trying to make one of your new daily affairs a clickety-click over here to the 520 so you can read the on goings of my exciting daily affairs.

What a crazy world, huh, kid?

I would like to touch on a subject that as of late has been popping its head around my circle of folks. It was spurred on, most recently, by the rumored happenings at The World Grotto last weekend. Word is that some of the artists performing the night in question vandalized and stole from the establishment. This created a bit of hum around the local scene and forums earlier this week and by now is probably a bit of old news to most of you. Now, I have read the forums and talked to a few people and have come to the conclusion that I just don't know enough to point the finger of blame, name any names, pass out any shame to any alleged player in this game. I don't know the story, not sure that I want to, but it has brought forth the fact that certain people are doing ill advised things at shows around town and I think this needs to be addressed. That is why I, Strapping Young Lad, have decided to do something about it. Sherman, set the Way-Back Machine for 1989, cuz I am about to re-institute the gas-face.

If you are playing a show and feel the need to get yer Pete Doherty on (btw, I don't think even Kate Moss likes Baby Shambles) by getting triznashed and tearing the place apart - you get the gas-face (strong language warning). It just so happens that I am a musician and I know a huge population of musicians in this town. Seems the consensus amongst my musical friends is we don’t like coming into a club to play our show and find that:

1. the once friendly management doesn’t trust us anymore and does nothing to provide a comfortable setting to play, i.e. no more green room, docked pay, no complimentary beverages and/or snacks.
2. the equipment doesn’t work properly anymore because some rockin rebel without a clue put his boot through a monitor wedge and yuked up his Jager on a couple of power amps.
3. the owner of the bar realizes that if his place is gonna get trashed, he might as well stop having bands and just hire a DJ and revitalize the foam dancing fad. Foam dancing, people. Do you really want to share the responsibility of rousing that beast back from the depths? A little social responsibility, please.

This disrespect for venues and bars isn’t just blood on the band's hands, now people. If you are attending a show and feel a need to break something – I got your gas face all warmed up and ready for you. For example, why is it when certain guys get to drinking, they feel the need to express violence on a bathroom? Go around town to any late night hang and look at the men’s loo. I can’t think of one that is not in a state of funky disrepair or full of makeshift patch jobs done by the management. What have bathrooms done to you? What is this repressed anger that Hulks out of you when you take a leak? Was your Aunt Myrtle slain by a raving urinal mint? What is it that you have against stall doors, mirrors, and toilet paper hangers?

And on a side note, what made you think the best place you could up-chuck was in the urinal? Commodes, sure but, I mean the urinal? The floor is a better receptacle than the urinal. At least the poor person that cleans your mess up won’t have to deal with your puke and all the normal pee butter, cigarette butts, and other nastitude. I mean come on, that’s just uncalled for.

Speaking of bathrooms, who are all these people that go to bars with Sharpies in their pocket? Now, I enjoy some water closet poetry from time to time, but seriously. When you were getting ready to go out, were you all like “Wallet, ID, credit card? Check, Check, and Check. Breath Mints? Check. Car Keys? Check. Permanent marker so I can finally make public to the peeing masses the great time that could be had if they would only call Sally? Check.�? I mean, for all the people that seem to go out well prepared to write something, you’d think there would be some writing on the wall that seemed, I don’t know, well prepared.

Now where was I? Oh yeah, could all listening patrons please keep your crap off of the stage? I was watching a terrific and super crowded Toubab Krewe show at the Grotto. All of a sudden, this dude that's, I don't know, like seven foot something tall comes in and stands in front of me. Now, I know it sucks to have a tall dude crowd out your sightline at a show, but I forgive these things. There is nowhere you can stand in elbow to elbow conditions where you won't stage block somebody. Now, I am not real short and I try not to do this to the less of stature, but it happens. What did torque my screws was that this guy proceeded to put his and his girlfriend’s jacket, her purse, and his and her drink ON STAGE, right next to the bass player’s feet. That is like uber disrespectful people. Dude might as well have popped a squat and took a steamy on that stage. Bands of any type size deserve and need what ever space they can get. That's why that space is set aside for them. They don't need to be dodging your beverages and personals while they are trying to get funky. I know, maybe nobody told you, and we will let slide this time, but consider yourself on gas-face review.

If you are attending a show and you feel the need to talk to somebody in the band while they are playing, sorry, you just got gas-faced. I know you want to feel connected to band, and those playing want to feel that connection with, but this is annoying. Musicians don’t want to hurt your feelings, but we would like it if you would just be a doll and shut the f*** up, at least until between songs. I don’t care if its just one cat on a patio playing covers on a thumb piano. Please wait until the song is over to request Brown Eyed Girl, or even better, write it down on a piece of paper (any odd piece of currency retains written requests best, I have been told) as this is one of the few exceptions to the putting stuff on stage rule. But for the love of Pete Townsend, do not start talking about your day and that terrible thing that happened to your hamster to a person trying to do his job of entertaining you. Oh, and under no circumstance should you ever, ever, ask the percussionist of the band whilst in the middle of a tune if the band knows the theme to The Dukes of Hazard. See that big black boxy thingy sitting next to his head? Yeah, it’s a fifteen inch speaker that is belching out the stylings of a six piece band, which, well lookie there, is sitting right behind him too. These are no conditions for a guy like me to try and decipher your screams of “C’mon, yeww know it, ‘Jus a gud ol bow-ee’. What makes you think I know what the hell you are trying to say? (True story, mind you)

There are some obvious gas faces that I don’t think I have to go into detail about, like anyone that came out to pick a fight or dudes that make continual bad passes at the cocktail waitresses (just leave now, you satchels of Masengill).

There are also things I wish I could put on the gas face list, but in reality there is no stopping them because you the people love them. Things like shouting "Freebird", requesting "Mustang Sally", and my personal least favorite, "We need more cowbell!" I realize that these things don't really hurt anybody or ruin anyone's good time; it’s just that they make me shudder. I would love to maybe suggest alternatives to these phrases such as, respectively, "Play some Sabbath!", requesting "Walking the Dog" or any other old funk R&B tune that is the same key and progression as Sally, and "The drummer is HOT!!". Alas, I am sure this is just a pipe dream.

Now, I don’t want it to be said that I don’t condone making an ass of yourself. Hell, half the reason I go to bars (or parties, or hockey games, or church services) is because they are openly accepting forums for asses. Inebriation and ass-issity go hand and hand, all part of the game, from the players on stage to the folks in line for the can. But remember, there is a difference between funny-jackass-ha-ha and scary-ass-please-call-the-cops. Please, ass responsibly.

I guess the over all point is, if you can’t handle your poisons in public, stop using them or practice at home until you can. Break your own dang stuff. The rest of us would appreciate it.

Friday Night's Picks: Man, tonight’s a toughie. Try to start out with Mem Shannon at Alive at Five, should be a great show. Get your Nawlin's on. Then what? Mic Harrison & The Highscore at the Corner will be a great show and will more than likely be packed, easily worth seven bucks. I gotta say I am also torn between Jescoe at Pres Pub and The Coveralls at Barley's. I hope to see you all out and about and if you see me at a show, you can flash me your best g-f. You'll know who I am; I'll be the guy making an ass of himself.

Have a good weekend, Knoxville, and til next time,

Straps has left the building.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:52 AM | Permalink

Applebee's was my perfect choice for a Valentine's Day date. For two reasons: 1.) My date specifically requested we don't do anything out of the ordinary (by all means!) and 2.) I believe my date disliked Valentine's Day more than I do. (The whole "this is the day that Love has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it" type of thing). With her specific instructions being to just go with the flow and not really pay attention to the hype surrounding the holiday, I officially broke my 6th grade curse...

...Which involved getting up the gall to ask out the girl I had a crush on for the entire year. But to do so I ask my best friend's girlfriend to ask her for me-- after all she does sit by
this girl at lunch every other day. She said yes! Bowling it was! Unfortunately a pimple ruined my bowling form, and instead I called her on the phone to break up... even though we were never dating. In fact, we never spoke (but did manage to date later on, after my growth spurt and confidence). Applebee's saved me this year though, and so I will unabashedly promote applebees.com ala Wayne's World.

Now, if you will allow me to remove my blogger coat and put on my environmental jacket for a second: I'm not going to preach on renewable energy, coal, oil, etc. I hope you know about those things (if not, please let me know, I will submit one blog to summing up the entire issue in detail - I'll probably do it anyways. Let's make it February 20th, please). I want to talk about the biggest issue in my life right now-- when it gets below 40 outside, my house gets down to below 50, below 60 with heat on. When
you can't afford KUB, but you can't afford a doctor, what do you do? Last night, I found my solution. Last night was one of the last straws, laying in bed not being able to sleep
because my curtains are blowing in ice cold air, I wondered, is my cheap rent worth this? When the heat comes on, the warmth just reminds me that at least half of that is leaving my house, racing outside to the colder air, the other half is sucking my bank account dry. I have requested insulation for my house (we literally have none - evident by my nailing a picture through the wall, and catching upwards of of 10 mice, 2 rats, and a
couple of serious colds).

Back to Thursday night-- I am unsure of what the night brings, I guess it depends on which way the wind blows - and if you want to know what to do - hell, you're already on the site. Friday night I will be out and about on the town, but not before traveling back across the mountains to watch my brother compete in his high school wrestling regional championships (not to mention congratulate him on getting a minimum $10,000 scholarship from Coca-Cola, one of 250 out of the original 88,000 applicants, not bad for a guy who graduated from a high school of 650 total students).

Well ladies and gents, it's off to the plasma center! Keep gamblin.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:28 AM | Permalink

You heard me. Run, don't walk, to Sunday brunch at the
Market Square Kitchen, One Market Square. It's orgasmic.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:21 AM | Permalink

Spend some time at Temple, you'll notice that people fall into about three categories:

There are the people who do.



There are the people who want to be done to.



And the people who just watch.



Guess which two categories of people I respect? Watching is not doing, boys and girls. Think of that on football nights. ;)

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Black Box Theatre, located in the Homberg area of west Knoxville, is a tiny, aptly named venue with dark black walls where I recently had the pleasure of viewing The Weir (by Connor McPherson).

Put on by the Actors Co-op, The Weir was the first play I’ve seen in Knoxville in my two years here and makes me feel that I’ve really been missing out.

The cast enters slowly, one by one at first, followed by a pairs (totaling four men and one woman), setting the scene of a tiny, neighborhood Irish Pub. The set completes the play, featuring dark, worn, wooden bar with two taps behind it. There are bottles of liquor (including a noticeable Jameson Irish Whiskey), photographs, and paintings behind the bar as well, adding to the homegrown feel of the place. If it were a real bar, I’d hang out there.

The rest of the set, consisting of a chimney against the far wall and a circular table in the center, is dispersed among the middle of the room. The audience sits in elevated seating to either side, adding to the intimate feel—the play is literally going on among the crowd.

The characters exchange humorous anecdotes and have light-hearted conversation while drinking profusely (something which is humorous in and of itself) and smoking cigarettes (which are real, so keep that in mind if you are bothered by smoke). For at least the first half-hour it’s not particularly obvious which direction the play is heading.

Slowly, the play takes a small, dark turn when the men entertaining "Valerie" (played by Amy Hubbard) bring up local ghost stories. They’re not particularly frightening at first but it sparks an interest among the characters.

Each goes on to tell their own ghost story coming from an experience in each character’s life. The stories amplify in fright, climaxing in an emotional, terrifying monologue which steals the show completely. As is the tone throughout the entire show, the creepier parts are followed up by lighter, funnier segments.

The ability to keep up an Irish accent for almost two hours is impressive, and the cast pulls it off perfectly.

There is no intermission, but clocking in around 1 hour and forty minutes, an intermission isn’t necessary. The Friday and Saturday shows are early enough in the evening to go out afterward!

It’d be a great place to take a date for a late Valentine’s celebration.

The Weir stars:
Greg Congleton as "Jack"
Darrien Thompson as "Brendan"
Jim Richardson as "Jim"
Tony Cedeno as "Finbar"
Amy Hubbard as "Valerie"

Directed by Sara Schwabe
Produced by the Actors Co-op

Performance dates: Feb 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 at 8pm. For tickets, visit knoxtix.com.

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Somehow, for just a few seconds, I was able to tear my attention away and come back to my senses. As I looked around all sorts of people sat, mouth agape, eyes wide, most not even moving. At the end of the performance, I practically shoved my friends out to the merchandise table, informing them that I. Must. Have. This. CD. I was transfixed as I managed to mumble when I was fortunate enough to meet Sxip Shirey after the show. Imagine my excitement with having the privilege to interview him before his return to Knoxville and ask him all the questions I'd really wanted to ask when we met (until my mind went to complete mush, of course).

MS- The style of music, the creativity in your performances, and general whirlwind of sound you create is anything but common in the US. While it is definitely a breath of fresh air, it pulls us in a direction of wanting more and not really knowing where to look for it. What influenced you most when you first started creating your own music?

SS- Well first of all, check out That One Guy, Reggie Watts' and Kid Beyond's solo stuff, they are amazing. Solo musicians I was very inspired by when younger were Diamanda Galas, Tom Waits, John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Micheal Hedges, Rodger Miller (of Mission of Burma -had a prepared piano album called Maximum Electric Piano), John Cage and Bobby McFerrin. Also check out Spike Jones, Bulgarian Woman's Choir and Taraf De Haidoucks. There is a lot of amazing music out there.

MS- Did any of your peers share or encourage your interests?

SS- I originally created these sounds while composing music for modern dance at Ohio University. The music director there at the time was very encouraging. After that it has been during periods of greatest isolation (after break-ups, in new cities) that I write much of my solo material.

MS- How did the members of LO meet- I imagine it's quite random to ask "You guys want to start playing gypsy tango klezmer punk music?"

SS- It started as project just for fun. I was dating Sarah at the time and Rima was going out with the old bassist. We just wanted to play some of the gypsy music that Sarah had heard when she had traveled in Romania.

MS- When did you first know that you had something solid?

MS- How did your earliest audiences react when hearing your music?

SS- Danced! They danced. So many white people in this country have forgotten how to dance to live music, we want to help fix that.

MS- What line of work were you in before you began touring, and (how) did it lead you to you what you do now?

SS- I've always been a starving/underground artist. Though I have had a crazy number of day jobs. From working with the developmentally disabled, to being a simulated patient for student doctors, to being a telephone psychic, to dressing up as Barney the Dinosaur and dancing around at kids' parties, to selling expensive silk ties outside at Union Square in New York City during the Christmas season.

MS- What would you like for your audiences now to gain/experience during performances?

SS- I want them to be present for their own living. To have a moment where they are really aware they are alive.

MS- Even when you're not on the road performing solo or with Luminescent Orchestrii, you still have your hands full with a lot of projects, some of which include your role as Maestro of the Daredevil Opera Company and Bindelstiff Family Cirkus. You've also mentioned recently working with a children's program. How did you come across these opportunities?

SS- My opportunities come from people seeing me play solo and then approaching me after the show.

MS- In addition, you started a production company, CHARM, which brandishes many artists with similar styles, various odd-ville acts and performance artists. What has been the greatest benefit so far?

SS- I love other artists. Some I love so much it hurts that they are not better known. So this is my chance to promote them. It's amazing to have so many people you love and respect on the same bill. The community aspect of it is fantastic. I am now doing "Sxip's Hour of Charm" in NYC. The plan is to start taking it to universities as a touring show.

SS- I want to help foster a culture of art that is visceral, excited and supportive, a culture of art that is hard working but that doesn't have to adhere to the cold intellectual discourse of the art world. A human populist culture of experimentalism.

MS- You just released your cd, Sombule, last year. What were the best and worst factors of this process? Is there anything you wished you had done differently?

SS- The CD is an accident - a gift. It was meant to be a compilation. It has recordings from different periods. Different styles...crazy Sxip music, country songs, piano...but when put together, Joe Bass, the engineer, and I realized it was in fact a body of work, an album.

MS- Of all songs you've produced, which one do you keep closest to heart?

SS- Two, Moon In Her Belly and the song All Babies Must Cry

MS- You will be coming back to Knoxville with Luminescent Orchestrii on the 18th. What are you looking forward to most?

SS- Both. My solo work is about the internal person and spiritual spilling itself into the room, vibrating the room, vibrating with the room and audience. It is about pulling the ghost from the meat. The band is about social energy. How amazing and wonderful it is to be in a community of souls.

MS- Lastly, what words of wisdom do you have to offer other artists who are still striving to make a name for themselves with experimental music?

SS- I dont know about making a name for yourself. But...go to Berlin. There is no arts funding in the US. Go to Berlin and then go to Berlin. Oh and try to have something to say in your music...also, putting contact mics on a bicycle wheel has been done, which is ok. it sounds cool, but putting contact mics on a bicycle wheel isn't enough. You gotta have a spiritual, emotional, esoteric, intellectual intent..SOMETHING. Say yes to opportunity and realize that once you have crafted your music and you know it and understand it it is no longer "experimental." It is just music.

Sxip Shirey's website can be found here.

Listen to The Moon by the Luminescent Orchestrii.

Sunday, February 18
World Grotto, 10:00 p.m.
Luminescent Orchestrii with Sxip Shirey
and Stephanie's ID

Monday, February 19
WDVX Blue Plate Special, Noon
Amy Spence and
Luminescent Orchestrii

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Ha – I just remembered what I did last year for Valentine’s Day. I went shooting at Coal Creek Armory. See, Gypsy Queen was training to be a spy, (apparently you can dream REALLY big after cancer) and we all know that to be a good spy you have to know how to shoot. We were going to go for her birthday a few days earlier, but after drinking a margarita at El Charro we figured it probably wasn’t the best time to go shooting. Then we found out that ladies shoot for FREE on Tuesdays at Coal Creek! And what with it being a year ago, Valentine’s Day was on a Tuesday, perfecta!

Funny though to see how differently we approached shooting. Gyps was very careful, she took her time, aimed and fired. And she kept the target practice sheets. She also improved as the evening wore on, getting closer and closer to the bulls eye. I, on the other hand, unloaded the clip within seconds. I used to shoot with my old boss and he got me hip to the joys of unleashing a clip as fast as you can. If you haven’t done it, try it! It feels great, like a good cry, or a deep belly laugh will, just in a very aggressive, testosterone-ish, manly way. He said that’s probably the closest I can come to know what it feels like to be a guy. Now, I in NO was endorse unloading it on someone those target practices at Coal Creek do just fine. There is so much power in those guns; it’s hard to think about it for me. Kinda like if you’re going to jump off the high dive you have to make up your mind on the ground, climb up, and just jump off. If I stop and think about it – I won’t do it. So, when I shoot I just let her rip, and I don’t pay much attention to aiming – I go by feel – the Yoda way. You know what’s really weird though? I’m not a half bad shot, either.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

How are you? I'm having an incredible year. For everyone's
reading pleasure I managed to sneak around the town yesterday / last night. It was Kentucky vs. Tennessee in basketball that really got the spirits rousted, but it was the Holiday performance of "Featuring Chad Kroeger of Nickelback: Anna Nicole's unborn child's father" (i.e. Nintendo Rules) that stole the show.

At 2 p.m. I received a most generous phone call from my friend who demanded
"Why are you not at Moe's?" A quick background, before most men's basketball games, a group of us gather at Moe's for their $3.25 pitchers (Student discount - $4.50 regularly) of Michelob Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite, or Amberbock - seriously, it is your pick. Several of us gather there, others stop in to have a pitcher, being quoted as saying "For $3.25 I feel like I have to buy one." It's true. Regardless, I made my way down to Moe's around 4:30 p.m. to a crowd of hecklers, raining down smart-ass comments about my
arrival time. One pitcher and a couple of glasses of Amberbock later we left at
5:15 p.m., our ears ringing... "Welcome to Moe's."

By the time the game had ended, I could already tell you I was going out on the town (the 2 p.m crowd did not join me). I need to point out "out on the town" means somewhere with culture-- a splash of class. I need atmosphere, not 300 beer signs that are also convenient mirrors. Granted, if a place has a pool table, I tend to make exceptions. Not because I am good at pool, but because I'm confidently mediocre. Old City and Market Square qualify as normally having culture and class. I do plan to venture out west-- I figure this contest should serve as motivation for all of us to enjoy the entire city of
Knoxville. In fact, Knoxville520 has the calendar available, so there is no excuse not to.

Preservation Pub. Everybody seems to know everybody. Even though I don't, I
feel like I do. I feel like I should announce that the Pub is holding a meeting for those interested in joining a co-op to purchase Preservation Pub and keep it just the way it is - absolutely rockin'. That meeting is on Thurs. April 15th at 6:00 pm. So Tuesday is singer / songwriter night, and I met a group of my friends down at the bar
for the traditional $2 High Lifes (Champagne of Beers). The Pub's singer /songwriter night is unique in that it isn't an untalented "artists" stubbing chords and wailing pitches that even I know to be way off key. Instead, it is a gathering of Knoxville's talent to play amongst each other. It's a neapolitan of shows, typically 2 or 3 songs each, covering the full music spectrum. At the end of the night, it was the Nintendo Rules rendition of Justin Timberlake's famous via You Tube SNL skit "Dick in a Box" that brought chants of "encore" even aspiring a quad of ladies to audition for dancer's in the music video.

So Knoxville, where do we go from here? Valentine's Day is here-- enjoy it! I've gambled a few times on this oh-so-American holiday and just like I normally do, I've lost. I'll
share some Valentine's Day "don'ts" and if my evening goes right tonight, I may go with one Valentine's Day "do." What else can you expect from ol' Joe Vegas?

Rumor has it that Longbranch saloon may be rented out for an official event, I invite all my fellow bloggers to join in this over 21, BYOL ( Yes-- Brown Bag baby!) event. I'll be solidifying the venue in the next few days. Also - look for a random "Journey" as I embark to a nearby
city, unknown at the time, with the idea being to find something the band Journey could sing about at each bar I find. My final finale will be a unprecedented pub crawl.
From the Old City to Market Square to the strip (I have to walk to all these places). This all-downtown pub crawl is both ill advised and well advised at the same time. I guess I will sacrifice for the good of the whole. In between all these events look for random events, thoughtful insights, rambling, and most importantly living on life's little edge, putting it all on red. I bid you adieu.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:26 AM | Permalink

Drink(s) of choice: Bahama Mama (ew), Long Island Tea
(ewww), and Margaritas!

Event: My 21st Birthday!!!!

The Friends: E, E's Sister, My Birthday Boyfriend, The
Police in the Old City

My friends told me that I could drink as much as I wanted because they would take care of me, unfortunately, they didn't make this promise to my birthday boyfriend. I was already drunk and got handed a Corona with lime in a glass bottle. While I was dancing with my birthday boyfriend, some drunk idiot hit the bottle with his elbow and chipped my birthday boyfriend's tooth!!!! For the rest of the night, he walked around saying "look what I had done" while blazing his chipped tooth grill. "Chip" as he was eternally dubbed, by all of those who were present, thought it was funny that night but one dental bill later and he wasn't laughing anymore. I promptly went to the nearest sprint store and requested a new cell phone number.

Back to my wonderful friends who told me they would take care of me but were to trashed to deliver on their promise. My birthday boyfriend suggested that we walk around the corner to Barley's and by this point in time E was wrapped up with her boyfriend, everyone else was trashed and I was off flirting with some random guy. About half way to Barley's I realized that I didn't even close out my tab and get my credit card. We stumbled back into Barley's, closed out my tab and continued on our journey. Nothing else eventful happened with my birthday boy other than some saliva swapping which was far from whizbang.

If my liver could talk it probably would have had a few choice words for me and some parental nonsense about how close to alcohol poisoning I was that evening. Instead, my body respectively warned me with a nausiating feeling to which I responded by hastening my way to the ladies room. Thankfully E and my other friends had tracked me down by this point and helped me into the restroom. I have never been so embarrassed in my life, as E held back my hair and I projectile vomited all over the bathroom at Barley's. E was so drunk she couldn't stop laughing and as we were leaving the bathroom a woman gave me a dirty look. E spoke up and said "Come on, it's her 21st birthday." to which the lady responded with "Oh, I understand." a sentiment echoed by many strangers that I encountered throughout the night as E apologized for my drunken behavior. E later asked me what I was drinking that was red, and at the time I didn't remember, but looking at my receipt later, we decided it was the Bahama Mama's. Gross. I will never drink that again.

We were walking past Hannah's to go around the corner to get to my car when I apparently tripped and on my way down dragged a friend with me apparently causing a huge scene. They told to me to calm down (which if you didn't know means scream louder when you're intoxicated). I loudly protested about my sobriety and aptly demonstrated that I could walk the line.

By this point, the police officers hanging out in the Old City were eying me with what seemed like intentions to arrest me for public intoxication, a perfect ending to my birthday bash. E and a couple of bouncers from Hannah's apparently fended of the cops giving my friends enough time to cover my mouth and usher me into the car. I didn't find out until a few days later how close I was to being arrested that evening.

We went on to Waffle House that evening where my actions can be summed up with eating, puking, and yelling and I spent the remainder of the night in my bathroom. It was truly a great night and one that I will always look back on and laugh hysterically at myself for.

Thanks for reading my blog! I hope you enjoyed reading my story as much as I enjoyed living it. This weekend there will be some fabulous partying stories going on nearly everyday, so look for those on my blog. Other than this weekend, you can expect stories about random trips to ATL, crazy college parties, and some info about the best places to party around town.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out the other contestants' blogs!!

XOXO

~Dancing Queen

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:19 AM | Permalink

This blog contest is supposed to be all about partying, but it's probably best that I tell ya'll up front that I won't be drinking. I have nothing against alcohol, but, hell, after last year, the last thing I need to do is become involved in field research into the worship of Dionysus.

My last really big drunk involved peach moonshine and dinner with a lesbian friend. No, it wasn't as fun as it might sound. That marked the low point in my then-burgeoning practice of using alcohol as a coping mechanism. I decided enough was enough and have only been drinking sporadically (and generally lightly) since.

So, just so ya'll know, I'm planning to remain clear-headed during my pursuit of debauchery (and $500).

As usual, the whole conflict ended up being worked out in a poem.

www.audioblogger.com/media/56101/409835.mp3

Thirst

Give me a beer, something god-damned and bitter
-- an emperor thirst needs slaking.
There is a parched desire within, a desire for blindness,
a desire to cleanse away all the maps. The territories
want their forgetting, after all.
So give me a beer, something god-damned and bitter
-- or give me of the Lethe, that backwoods
pisswater the dead keep raving about.
There's no rest here. Doors want their closing. Windows
grow weary for lack of shade. I don't desire such keenness.
Let the edges dull. Let me cultivate some rust.
So give me a beer, something god-damned and bitter
-- something that I can wear like cotton,
something to be wrapped in like last night's sheets.
Give that lovely oblivion. Let me sleep.

--"Thirteen", September 17, 2006

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

One of my favorite "I don't have to be a parent tonight, so let's get dangerous" pasttimes in Knoxville is attending Temple, an alternative dance event, held on Saturdays at the Electric Ballroom. It can be a little like the boardwalk scene from "Lost Boys" played out with a cast drawn from the Island of Misfit Toys. I feel at home there. I'm one of the broken, myself.

The regulars make the event. As a rule, they're some of the nicest and most polite people I've met. For instance, my friend Bunny is a wonderful lady.



For a photographer, Temple is also the promised land. There's always something interesting to see.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:11 AM | Permalink

Bon Jour, My Sweet 520 readers, It Is I, Strapping Young Lad.

Today is a very special day, one we spend in celebration of a historical and mythical man. Of course I am talking about Ed Corts, the ever loved publican of The Corner Lounge. Happy Birthday, Ed!

But alas, Ed’s thunder has been all but quashed by a certain man that was either one of three fellas named Valentinus from either Rome , Interamna, or Africa around the year 270. Legend has it that an evil emperor handed this Valentinus fellow’s head to him because he wouldn't disavow the Holy Roman Church. Records of this time are all but non-existent. We will never now exactly who this fellow was and what he really did that was so great as to be sainted and all. But this much is known for (almost probably) sure about the Patron Saint of The Greeting Card Industry: he was all about spreadin some 3rd century love. Which time warps us thousands of years to the here and now, where you are reading this and thinking “Oh s***, that’s today!�

Now there are various camps of thought on this holiday. Many cherish the opportunity to sprinkle adoration on their lovey-dovies like rose petals from 75% cacao clouds. Others say that the day is bunk and that the entire muckety muck was created and hyped by Hallmark and FTD to crank out early year sales. Then there is the opinion, of which I understand is shared by most of the Knoxville520 staff, that all you non-single kissy kissy faced amorous monkeys can go choke on your bon-bons.

No matter what your opinion of the day, you’re stuck with it and here it is. What you gonna do now? Maybe I can help, because nothing solves problems like anonymous strangers on the internet. Any how, as promised, here is

Strapping Young Lad's Tips For Valentine’s Day

1) THE EASY WAY OUT: $$$
Look, you can’t buy love, but you sure as hell can buy a pretty friggin cool night. If you got the means, drop a bill on dinner and drinks and maybe catch a show. My favorite places to exchange a wad of cash for a couple hours of over indulgent eating? Everybody has different tastes, but on the rare special occasion I get to pretend I'm a money bag, Chesapeake’s or Baker Peters are my faves (Your significant other a vegetarian? Prove their mettle with a trip to BPs' and get the filet medium rare. If they can watch you nosh down one of the most delicious bloody messes in town and kiss you later, they must like you a lot. Seriously, though, best steak I have ever had). Point is, it’s hard to have a bad date if you throw a couple of hundred bucks at it (unless your date actually costs a couple of hundred bucks a night, which just means your a sad, sad, case this Valentine's). The bad thing about expensive gifts, nice restaurants, renting limos, getting the grill polished, etcetera, is that it takes forethought and a little planning and IT'S TODAY.

You probably should have made reservations because every swank eatery in town will be slammed to the gills with folks that remember this type of stuff. And gifts? Well, you can rush out to the jewelry store on the lunch break I suppose. They sell some pretty cute stuffed animals at Wal-greens. OR, you can mozey on down to plan #2.

2) THE “STILL SAYS I CARE BUT ON THE CHEAP AND QUICK� OPTION
So, the wallet is light or the clock is tickin, either way, its time to get on the ball, chump love sucker. It looks like its time to initiate an intimate evening at home.

Can you cook? If not, scoot on down to the Fresh Market pre-prepared deli case. Get a couple of fancy looking entrees and some vegetables to steam with – Oh, you're the can’t-boil-water REALLY can’t cook type person. Still, no fear, they got sides too. You can probably get a real nice dinner for two for under $20. Here’s the key. You gotta put it on a plate, genius. Eating out of plastic trays you microwaved is not gonna score you any suave points. Still got some cash? There are plenty of tasty wines for under a tenner. Set the table, use a cloth if you got one, light a candle.
Need atmosphere? Pop over to Pandora.com and start typing in Barry White, John Coltrane, System of a Down, whatever floats your mood boat. If you take about twenty minutes you can fine tune a custom romantic mix station that you can just let play whilst dinner is commencing.
Gift? Now this may take an hour or so. It’s a desperate play and takes a little mental conditioning to pull off, but I think given our options, we gotta go there. Break out the construction paper, glue, glitter, and macaroni. For realsies. Take an hour to revert back to third grade. Personalize a big, cheezy, lace and painted pasta heart for your lover. This is where you gotta believe, though. You think I’m joking around? YOU GOTTA BELIEVE IT, SOLDIER! While you are making this monstrous monument to your total lack of artistic talent, you must open your mind. You must imagine you ARE that third grader and you have just created your masterpiece. It took you all of art class and you went through two tubes of Elmers (well, the last one you drank and did that fake peeling skin on my hands thing with) but it is done, it is beautiful, and you are taking it home. You bust in the door and give to your mom. Keep focusing on the love on your mom’s face as she is beaming at this heartfelt creation. This is the commitment you must have for your other to not take this all as a terrible joke or a cheap excuse. No person with any kind of heart would dare shatter an honest stare of cutesy kiddy goody goodness conviction. If you bust out ninja strong focus while presenting this gift, grasshopper, I believe you can even pull some tears out of your love buddy. Now, there is one more important step in pulling this off, YOU MUST BE ABLE TO GET YOUR MOM BACK OUT OF YOUR HEAD. Otherwise, you might have just sabotaged any hope of the evenings grande finale. Candles, blanket, sappy movie, snuggles, and then whatever have you. Bam. Valentines for under thirty bucks and with all the smoochy woochy moments you can stomach.

3) THE “I DON’TS GOT NOBODY� PLAN OF ATTACK (Also known as the 520 special)
Take your damn self out to dinner. Go to a schnazzy restaurant and eat at the bar, you don't need a reservation. Buy those top shelf drinks (but apparently you better order in before DQ hits the bar and drinks the wells dry), eat the Mahi Mahi, get a bad ass desert (Oodles Noodle Bar on Market Square had a triple choclate mouse last time I ate there. Bring a helping of that home with you and your evening won't need a “grande finale�. The stuff is semi-solid ‘o’ face in a glass), go kick it at a show, treat yourself as good as you ought to be treated. But save those receipts. At the end of the night multiply the total tab by two and think of all those sappy suckers that didn’t qualify for the Valentine’s Half Off discount.

Now go out there and get your Happy Valentine’s Day on.

TONIGHTS PICS: Shows I’d recommend seeing tonight if I had a lovely other with me: Preservation Pub for Big Bad Jukebox or Barley’s for Christabel and the Jons. It all just depends on how fast you wanna dance. As for me and mine? I think my lovely and I might head down to the Corner Lounge, listen to a little Greg Horn, and watch Ed drink in another great year of Ed-ness.

Til Next Time, My Sweetest Adieus, to yieu and yieu and yieu,
-Le Strapster

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ah, Valentine's Day.

Blargh. After mainly dating near-psychos for the past 10 years, I've soured on the idiocy involved. My policy is to treat whoever I'm dating well every day. So why stress over one stupid day?



On a much happier note, I found the first crocus of the year in my yard yesterday. It's always a special joy.



Rehearsal went well, I reckon, last night. Only choked on one line. The roughest part was the location -- the University Center at UTK (THE NIGHT OF THE UT VERSUS KENTUCKY BASKETBALL GAME). So, I parked up on Highland to avoid the mess and walked down --dressed as an approximation of a 16th Century Spanish gentleman. Got some odd looks for that. Nobody directly addressed my attire, except for the bum who asked me for money for a beer. "I like your suit," he said.

Tonight, I could go read some of my poetry at the Satyr's Asylum open mic at the World Grotto; however, I'm thinking that I probably need physical exercise instead. Maybe I can find an opportunity to cross swords with someone.

Speaking of poetry, here's a small taste of my work:

click me

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:01 AM | Permalink

So, I’m an artist of sorts, I enjoy creating at least. Lately I’ve been into fabrics, but since my sewing machine is from 1932 (literally) and hard to use, I went to Hobby Lobby to get some glittery fabric paint, which then led to the creation of a stencil. Once I saw it completed, I realized that’s it! That’s the image I’ve been looking for all these years! See, I’ve wanted a tattoo for years; I just wasn’t sure what I wanted on my body for the rest of my life. I wasn’t sure what would still look good when I’m 90 and wrinkled, much less what I would still be cool by then? So, I’ve waited a long time to find just the right image. I immediately called Johnny at Saint Tattoo, since it’s the best place to go get a tattoo in Knoxville and out the door I went to show him what I’d like. Butterflies have always represented redemption, resurrection, and transformation to me, the deep spiritual kind like a phoenix like rising from the ashes. There’s really nothing that I can think of that I’d rather have on me permanently than a beautiful reminder to rise up, and not let anything hold me down. This is why I also knew exactly where to put it on my body. That other almighty question when someone is getting a tattoo? For me, it’s on the opposite side from where I broke my back. There’s that redemption again.

I met Gypsy there, with her usual Starbucks cup in hand, with her handless headset in place under her black curls and smiling face. Anna took us back to her room and we quickly settled in. As Anna began, I stifled a giggle, from that weird mix of a tinge of pain with a bit of tickle. You feel it sometimes when you get a massage and a particularly tight spot is being worked out. You aren’t sure if you should laugh or cry? It didn’t hurt, getting the tattoo, well, there was a moment or two, a couple seconds rather, that I felt a sharp pain, but for the most part it tickled? I didn’t cry, I laughed. All the while, Anna, Gyps, and I talked about being a woman in Knoxville, what our tattoos meant, Anna’s family, and how she has tattooed several of the ‘Soccer Mom’s’ that go to her church. You’d probably not automatically assume that a woman almost covered in tattoos would even go to church, much less tattoo several of the other women there? Ump, but that’s what we all get for assuming. How’s that saying go, something about

So, who’s got a tat? What’s it mean to you?

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Location:Barley's, Hannah's, Downtown Grill and Brewery, Waffle
House, Almost The Police Department

Drink(s) of choice: Bahama Mama (ew), Long Island Tea
(ewww), and Margaritas!

Event: My 21st Birthday!!!!

The Friends: E, E's Sister, My Birthday Boyfriend, The
Police in the Old City

My friends and I have done some crazy things partying in Knoxville so
when I saw this opportunity from Knoxville520.com to share them with
you, I got excited! I really hope you'll enjoy the stories that I'll
share over the next 4 weeks (assuming you don't vote me out). Some of
the stories will be pretty
crazy, others will be hilariously funny, and a few of them will (more
than likely) be just plain stupid. But all of them, I can assure you,
will be totally true!

The first story I want to share with you is the celebration of my
entrance into (legally) partying, my 21st birthday. The evening got
so crazy it was eventually dubbed by many of my friends as the second
Mardi Gras!

We started out with a group of about 30 people at the Downtown (Grill & Brewery). I was extremely excited that this was going to be my very first legal night of drinking and after my fourth margarita I was ready for the evening to begin.

We hung out at the Downtown for a while longer, but the band was
terrible this night, so we decided to hit up Hannah's next.
Unfortunately, most of Hannah's was a blur to me, but I do recall that
my best friend "E", and I found "boyfriends" for the night.

We took our boyfriends upstairs and danced for a while to the R & B
that was playing and continued to drink. Some time later, E's sister
found me on a couch in Hannah's and asked me why I was sitting alone.
I told her that I was waiting on my boyfriend for the night to bring
me a Long Island Tea. In my inebriated state this all seemed good and
well, but looking back I've wondered two things. Why did I have a
birthday boyfriend and why was he was bringing me another Long Island
Tea.

By this point in time, I had already consumed four marguerites, three
Long Island Teas, and four Bahama Mama's. We partied hard and we
partied for a long time, but after that night, I pledged to never
again drink another Bahama Mama or Long Island Tea.

To Be Continued...

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:10 PM | Permalink

February 12, 2007

Ready. Fire. Aim.

CD Review - Million Billion

L.A.-based band Million Billion was kind enough to send 520 an advance release copy of their debut CD, "Ready. Fire. Aim." Coming up on their 2-year anniversary, the band has clearly worked toward a goal of producing listenable, tenable pop rock (with a little soul and folk thrown in), and they've succeeded. Lead vocalist Gavin Bellour has a sound reminiscent of the early '90s, and the support of musicians Brian Ulrich and Yonatan Elkayam build each song into a richly detailed sonic experience. Aesthetically, the band has a hip style to their appearance, but after listening to this disc on repeat, trust me.. they are so much more than just their image.

"The Moped Song" opens the disc, and it's an attention-getter. This first taste of what Million Billion has to offer gives the listener understandable lyrics, punchy melody, and if you enjoy pop, exactly what you want to hear. The band describes their sound as "one with a progressive nature, but also a timeless and classic quality," according to their MySpace page ( myspace.com/millionbillion). No argument hear, since it's definitely a familiar sound, but not a copycat of any specific bands or artists per se. Deeper into the playlist is "Milk & Honey," a touching song that may well be Million Billion's CD single release (or at least, it would be if I were choosing it). The songs combine melodic hooks with ample acoustic guitar and percussion, and "Milk & Honey" is a particularly expert example of the trio's refined sound. Another favorite is the final track, "Psalm For Lovers Without Lovers" - touching, effective, and catchy.

The band has collaborated with, and/or shared bills with, several major artists, including Ray LaMontagne and Beck. This year they're set to perform at the South-By-Southwest SXSW festival in March. Who knows, they might be intuitive enough to make their way to Knoxville.. in the meantime, "Ready. Fire. Aim." is definitely recommended to anyone looking for a pop fix with a little edge on top. The band's official website is www.millionbillionmusic.com, and the CD's national release date was February 1. Consider yourself armed and dangerous with knowledge of... Million Billion.

(Editor's note: there's a rumor that their appearance at SXSW has been cancelled. Please consult their website to confirm at a later date.)

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:58 AM | Permalink

Afternoon delight

I grew up listening to Greg Brown. His poetry, delivered by a sexy growl and accompanied by sparse, well-placed guitar chords, was well known in my family's home. I was nearly destroyed when I discovered I wouldn't be able to make his show at the Bijou last Thursday night. However, thanks to the wonders of radio - WDVX, to be exact - I was able to catch the Man from Iowa on the Blue Plate Special the following day. We got there about an hour before the show and the seats were already filling up. Evidently, I wasn't the only one who missed the show the night before. When Mr. Brown sauntered past me in the lobby along with his friend, Bo Ramsey, I felt my knees buckle and my body temperature kick up about two degrees. (I don't know what it is about that man - woof!) I'm not the only one who has the hots for him, either. A friend of mine, who has toured with big names like Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, told me he's one of the few musicians that makes her star-struck and the only one she'd ever lift up her shirt for at a concert. How many folkies have that kind of magnetism, honestly?

Continue reading "Afternoon delight" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:55 AM | Permalink

February 8, 2007

Those Boys Can Play

It’s been a while since I’ve seen what Frank Zappa would refer to as “serious� music; people sitting silently intently listening to esteemed musicians playing predominately acoustic music in a room designed to be acoustically proficient. I seldom get to take part in this type of musical experience for two reasons: 1) The target audience is usually “high society�, that means it’s expensive, and 2) The musical content is typically very old. This presents a problem for me because 1) I don’t have two nickels to rub together and 2) I desperately crave new music. With that in mind a sincere thank-you goes out to the UT Cultural Attractions Committee for bringing two of the best musicians on the planet, Chris Thile and Edgar Meyer, to the Cox Auditorium at the absurdly low price of $5 for students/$25 general admission.

A lot of you may be familiar with bassist Edgar Meyer. He is in fact an east Tennessee native and plays somewhere in our area with some regularity. Maybe you’ve seen him in an orchestral setting in Oak Ridge, or at the Tennessee Theatre playing a duet with Bela Fleck. For the unacquainted Edgar is a virtuosic bassist whose playing combines a masterful understanding of the classical tradition with a fluency in bluegrass and hints of everything else in the musical spectrum. His genius is not only undeniable it is in fact certifiable as he was presented the MacArthur Foundation’s Genius Award in 2002. Meyer has such a command on the full range of his instrument that he often performs music written for cello on his double bass. I’ve seen him perform duets with Bela three times so I knew whatever he and Chris Thile had come up with was sure to kick ass.

Continue reading "Those Boys Can Play" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Spoken word circus

Walk on the wild side with Jack Rentfro

“Welcome to the Crackerdome!�

“Apocalypso!�

“Music to Listen to While Listening to Music and the Words that Go With It!�

These are the titles to a few of the spoken word happenings recently performed by award winning writer and local personality Jack Rentfro. “I don’t necessarily want to give a name to all the shows. Sometimes, you don’t know if the baby is going to make it through that first winter. So you don’t give’em a name. That way, you don’t get so attached.�

Jack has been attached to the creative writing process since winning his first poetry award while in grammar school. “I’ve been shivering in the literary punch line ever since.� His fiction, poetry and essays have appeared in the last four Knoxville Writers’ Guild anthologies, and he was the 2006 recipient of the Guild’s Leslie Garrett Short Story Award. Rentfro has also combined his experience as a professional journalist with his interest in history and music, and authored the book “Cumberland Avenue Revisited: Four Decades of Music from Knoxville, Tennessee� (Cardinal Publishing 2003). He says his “spoken word performances are the culmination of 30 years of participating in creative happenings around town.�

You can catch Jack’s entertaining spoken-word side show this Thursday, February 8, at Preservation Pub, with the irreverent Phil Pollard & his Band of Humans. The fun begins at 10:00 p.m.

For a sample, please listen to the “Your State or Mine� podcast from Todd Steed’s website ObKnoxCast. This selection features Jack Rentfro performing with the Band of Humans’ vibraphonist, Phil Pollard, and pianist, Geol Greenlee.

“I Was Driving Under the Influence of Kerouac�

Continue reading "Spoken word circus" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:22 AM | Permalink

February 5, 2007

The passion of a man

When Karen Reynolds, host of Writer’s Block, introduced Malcolm Holcombe during his last Knoxville performance, she told the crowd that seeing him live was an “experience.�

For the uninitiated like me, I was confounded and entranced by Holcombe’s primitive and passionate style. He gets so into his music, it’s as though he’s in a trance as he wrestles his guitar, stomps his boot heel and growls and drools like a back-woods Tom Waits. I attended this 2006 concert based only upon press reports and hearing a cover of his beautiful song “Dressed in White�. By the end of this show, I was hooked on Malcolm and his music, and I am very much looking forward to his return this Wednesday, February 7, as he kicks off the Writer’s Block Live! 2007 series at 6:30 p.m. at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

A very gifted songwriter and fierce guitarist and singer, Holcombe’s music has been described by Rolling Stone as “haunted country, acoustic blues and rugged folk….� Performing with small combos or solo, his delivery is captivating and interesting, sparse and striking. No Depression magazine listed Holcombe’s “I Never Heard You Knockin’� as “Holcombe at his best.� The Wall Street Journal also described this CD as “a stunning and aural equivalent of found art.� Americana Roots refers to his latest release, Not Forgotten, as “a work to be remembered, to be listened to time and again.�

If you are a lover or writer of poetry, fiction or music, please experience Malcolm Holcombe in person. Lonesome Coyote, Maggie Longmire, will perform the opening number on Holcombe's show. The Writer’s Block Live! series focuses on independent performing songwriters and these artists frequently share stories about their craft. These concerts are a great way to learn and absorb writing techniques. Also, the Knoxville Museum of Art’s auditorium is a comfortable, smoke-free pitch perfect listening room. With an affordable ticket price and early start time, Writer’s Block Live! concerts are a great way to experience the incredible Knoxville music scene.

Wednesday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Malcolm Holcombe
Knoxville Museum of Art
1050 World’s Fair Park
Free parking
Complimentary catering by Panera Bread
Cash Bar available
General Admission Tickets are $7.00 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at www.KnoxTix.com

Saturday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m.
Malcolm Holcombe
Laurel Theatre
1538 Laurel Avenue
Ticket price to be announced

UPCOMING WRITER’S BLOCK LIVE! SHOWS

Wednesday, March 7
Buddy Mondlock

Wednesday, April 4
Dana Cooper

Wednesday, April 18
R.B. Morris

(photo credits: Bill Emory, cover & Chris McFall, body)

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ultimate Knox Vegas Survivor Contest!

Attention all you party people! This is your official invitation to enter the Ultimate Knox Vegas Survivor Contest!

What is this little contest all about, you ask?

It's simple: Once you enter, your challenge is to stay in the contest by keeping Knoxville520 readers entertained with blog accounts of your entertainment exploits. If you fail, they'll vote you off the island - um, website. The winner will get a major cash prize, just in time for Spring Break.

How can you get in on the action?

All you need to do is send us an email to knoxville520@gmail.com by Feb. 8th saying, "I Will Survive", and we'll add you to the list of participants. The more, the merrier, so tell your friends to tell their friends to tell their friends...you get the idea.

When does the game start?

The Ultimate Knox Vegas Survivor Contest will officially kick off on Monday, February 12, 2007. Yup, that's right - that's not too far away, so send us an email expressing your interest ASAP, STAT, PDQ...now!

How do you play?

We will send you a password to access a special blogging program, and you write about all the parties, clubs, shows, festivals you attend. You can post as often as you like and as creatively as you like. Include photos, links, etc. All posts will be reviewed by our staff before being published, but we won't cramp your unique style. You'll be encouraged to promote yourself and your blog around town by using MySpace, Facebook, posters, flyers, etc.

At least once per week, Knoxville520 readers will get the chance to vote for their favorite bloggers. The person left at the end of the contest on March 8, 2007 will get the mother load - $500!

Who can try their hand?

We'll be printing the official rules when we announce the participating bloggers next Monday, but basically anyone at least 18 years of age who doesn't work for our company is eligible. Feel free to contact us for more specific info before Feb. 8th.

Come on, folks. You're gonna be going out anyway - you might as well get some fame and fortune out of it!

Send your "I Will Survive" email now to join in the fun! (link found on 520 homepage)

(Idiot warning: It's okay to party and blog, but please don't party and drive, party and beat people up or party and violate farm animals. We trust you'll use common sense during this contest.)

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:39 AM | Permalink

February 1, 2007

The psych-folk of deek hoi

If you weren't at the deek hoi show on Friday night, you should have been. Christa (of Christabel and the Jons) even made it after their swanky perfomance at the Laurel Theatre. "And why the effort on such a cold night?" you may ask.

Well, I'll tell you. deek hoi rolled out their new disc "the golden country." And opening for them was Eyes and Arms of Smoke--all we really needed was some poi from Gypsy Hands (and a bonfire). Eyes and Arms of Smoke lent itself, with its clarinet and hypnotic variations, to snakes emerging from baskets, belly dancers, and throwin' some fire around. It was the perfect beginning to a very chilly evening. If you weren't at the show and you believe in second chances, you may want to keep reading.

deek hoi takes you to mystical summer evenings under the stars...Knoxville evenings...where both kisses and ideas can be stolen in backyards with good friends. Even if it is January, and you can't feel your buns any longer while sitting in the den of the Pilot Light, you can still imagine. deek hoi is the dream that you don't want to end--then suddenly those few seconds after you wake up, when everything is so clear--but only the best parts of that dream rise to the surface of recollection. With Jen Rock, Jennifer Bradley, Josh Sidman, Daniel Coy, and John Ferguson, the dream was delicious and only too short. But there are no worries in deek hoi-land, they will play again--this Saturday actually.

deek hoi opens for Dixie Dirt, hallelujah, Saturday Feb. 3 at Barley's.

And February is short, can I get an amen?

photo credit: Bran Rogers

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:47 PM | Permalink

January 29, 2007

Small on space - big on talent!

Back Hills Cafe & Picking Parlor

If Alice in Wonderland owned a 150-year old log cabin, it would be the Back Hills Café & Picking Parlor. The interior of the main dining room of this intimate, artsy and whimsical music venue, café and bed and breakfast is painted in a variety of bright colors and sports a red and white checkered floor. The “stage room� is on the ground floor of the actual cabin and is cozy, rustic and small. How small? At a recent LoneTone’s performance, Maria Williams’s upright bass had to be positioned between the low ceiling beams, and while on-stage, drummer Phil Pollard commented that when trying to make eye contact with his wife, he thought he inadvertently made three dates with other women in the audience. (The stage is so small, Pollard was limited to just a snare drum and small glockenspiel.) This intimacy along with the white-clothed tables, mismatched dinner and glassware, and a bathroom that is in a detached building, adds to the charm of this unique smoke-free venue that seats 60 and was sold out on the evening of The LoneTones' performance. The Picking Parlor has already been host to shows by Robinella, Wade Hill, The Steel Drivers, The Bearded, the Tennessee Sheiks, and Roscoe Morgan & Lonely Train. (See upcoming performance schedule below.) Acoustics are good in the cabin and due to the close proximity between the musicians and the crowd, there is the potential for plenty of impromptu interaction.

Continue reading "Small on space - big on talent!" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 25, 2007

One bad-ass burlesque party!

Y'all did us proud last night at the Cocktails at the KMA soiree - and on a school night, even!

Why not take a little spin on our merry-go-round of photos (a.k.a. evidence) and see if you were actually as well-behaved as you're claiming today...

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

August Wilson's "Fences"

This Thursday night, The Clarence Brown Theatre at the University of Tennessee will present something never before seen on one of their professional stages: an August Wilson play. Fences, Wilson's Tony, Pulitzer, and Drama Desk winning masterpiece, deals with race relations and the African-American experience of 1950s Pittsburgh, as witnessed by the fictional Maxson family.

August Wilson is best known for Fences (1985) and his other popular works, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (1982) and The Piano Lesson (1989), which also won the Tony, Pulitzer, and Drama Desk awards. What audiences may not know is that these works are part of a ten-play cycle that chronicle the social issues of African -Americans in the Unites States over the span of the 20th century. Each play, in fact, takes place in a different decade, and nine of the ten pieces take place in Pittsburgh. Characters in these plays often appear in more than work, as do the specific locations the characters inhabit.

The CBT's new Artistic Director, Calvin MacLean, had a hand in picking this year's selections back last spring when he accepted his job offer here. As I learned when I interviewed him this past fall, MacLean wants to make sure that the Clarence Brown fulfills not only its role as a professional regional theatre, but also its role in supplying quality theatre for different interests, whether they be "a little offbeat or unusual or experimental or student-centered." As for Fences, Maclean thinks that "it's about time that [the play] gets done" here. Read the rest of my interview with Calvin Maclean here.

Fences is directed by Ron Himes, a visiting director who hails from The Black Rep in St. Louis where he is the Producing Director. The cast is comprised wholly of Equity actors, including Horace E. Smith III, who was seen last year as Jim in the CBT's production of Big River. Fences previews this Thursday, and has its opening night Friday at 8 p.m. Check our listings for ticket prices and information. The play will run through Sunday, February 11th.

Ron Himes, Director

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:41 PM | Permalink

In good company

Sometimes, you just feel like somebody's watchin' out for ya. In the middle of doing Saturday morning errands, I got a call that Michelle Malone and Garrison Starr would be playing that night at the Corner Lounge. That is like telling someone who likes classic rock that the Eagles would be playing at the Tennessee Theatre, and that the cover charge was $10. Apparently others' guardian angels weren't lookin' after them as closely as mine were, as there were probably only thirty people there. These are musicians that have a strong undercurrent of followers and pack venues like the Grey Eagle in Asheville, and Eddie's Attic in Atlanta. Lucky for us, we live in Knoxville, and we sometimes get front row because everyone else is hunkered down with their gallon of milk and their loaf of bread--just hoping, waiting, and wishing for that storm to hit.

Sometimes, here in Knoxville, we get a little complacent. We get comfortable with our music scene, our football, our market square, and we forget--we forget that a woman, and a guitar, and a cause--or a good story, is missing from our lives. And we got two of them last night. I'd heard of Garrisonn Starr, but I'd never heard her. She (and a drummer named Jesus) filled that room with sound and story-tellin' that just needed to happen. She has a new album, Garrison Starr's Fans' Greatest Hits, Volume 1--selections that her fans chose. And because just picking ten songs was rather impossible, there will be a Volume 2 at some point, so don't you worry. I just kept wondering if that was her real name, and if so, I'd like to meet her parents--even if they apparently give her a hard time about not enough church-going, the red Vans and her jeans that drop just a little too low. Regardless, she's got to be thanking them for the voice she's got and the guitar that she can play.

Michelle Malone. This was the third time I'd seen her. The first was rockin' the you-know-what out of a private party in downtown Knoxville, the second time she was getting some coffee at my favorite grocery store in Atlanta, the third was playing at the Corner Lounge last night. I think she's been out West for a while--the real out West--not West Town Mall. See, if you thought I meant West Town Mall, it's time to get out of Knoxville for a bit.

This woman is both nonchalant and fierce. Michelle Malone probably tops the scales out at about 105. But one look, and though she's beautiful--her eyes tell you that she has chosen her battles. You decide early that you want her on your team--and you want her playin' her guitar. There were a few guys in the back who looked like they just dropped in for a beer after riding their motorcycles across the country collecting tattoos. A few songs in, a few riffs from her collection of electric beauties...and they dropped their jaws in surprise and then joined in the fray of those that appreciated a woman who could sing and play. With influences like the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Rait, Muddy Waters, and Billie Holiday...you want to be at the front table. Fortunately for Knoxville, you could have been--and fortunately for the world, she can also write a song or two, and she has a new album out, "Sugarfoot."

If you're ever feeling sick and tired of being part of the American Idol society--in her observation, that we're become something more of the American Idle society. If you know deep down that families could do better if minimum wage wasn't so minimum, if you're lonely and you think that everybody (but you) has found their someone, if you appreciate a good southern river and a good southern whiskey--then you would be in good company with Michelle Malone. And although the Corner Lounge doesn't serve liquor, they can certainly bring in women and guitars that can hold their own.

Garrison Starr photos by Jeffry Fasano

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 22, 2007

A view from the stage

Strut, Corleone & artvandalay at Wall Street Murfreesboro TN

Friday night in Murfreesboro continued the Strut and artvandalay party started last week at the World Grotto. The line-up also included the hometown favorites Corleone, a five piece with elements of reggae, hip-hop
and trance.

Next time you're in Murfreesboro check out Wall Street, which is
comparable to Patrick Sullivan's, with a restaurant on the bottom floor and
the concert venue upstairs. We (artvandalay) took the stage first at something
like 10:30 and there were a good fifty or so people in the room. We played a solid
hour set (which is like 15 minutes stage time). The lights were so blinding that
all I could see was a cluster of dancers in front of the stage, but when the
set ended and those horrible things stopped burning my retinas, I squinted
through the smoke to find that the crowd had filled into a solid block from
the stage to the back wall - which was totally awesome except for one thing:
like Patrick Sullivan's the back of the stage is the back of the building so you
have to load out of the front, and with three bands we had to haul ass on the
change-over.

Luckily the crowd was full of characters willing to help. In fact, a highly intoxicated guy who called himself Mouse tried to part the seas like Moses for our drummer Chris Peck. We turned over fast and Corleone got the crowd going with some dub reggae grooves. They played an energetic yet short set and turned the stage over to the main event, Asheville's Strut. Regrettably, at that point it was about 2 a.m. Knoxville time, and I had to consider the drive home. I only stayed for about thirty minutes of Strut but man did they shake the place. And I mean literally, the building's not so good and you could feel the floor buckle to the beat as over 200 kids danced in the sea of smoke and laser lights.

Damn that was a fun show.

Thanks to artvandalay for sharing Dustin with us!

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:12 PM | Permalink

Get it while it's hot!

It's almost time to tip some 'tinis and shake your tassles at the hottest party to hit Knoxville in a long time.

Cocktails at the KMA: Burlesque shimmies into the great hall of the museum this Wednesday, Jan. 24th from 6 - 9pm and will feature the artful naughtiness of some of the area's most creative folks. Local photographer, Tovah Greenwood, will have her much-talked-about Pin-up Girl collection on display, as well as a few other saucy pieces.

The talented ladies of the White Lightnin' Burlesque will tempt and tease you with a performance of some of their favorite numbers. Believe us, this is a show not to be missed, so get it while it's hot! (And speaking of hot...you'll be able to pick up some WLB merchandise - check their stuff out here.)

As if these weren't enough reasons to be at the KMA this Wednesday, you'll also be able to tour through the museum's permanent and visiting collections. They've agreed to keep the exhibits open during the Burlesque party, so be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

Finally, to compliment the decadent entertainment, Chef Holly Forbes & the Gourmet's Market will be serving up some delicious hors d'oeuvres made with only the finest and richest ingredients - ooo, how naughty!

The giant cherry on top of this sassy little tart of a party, is that it's free to KMA members and only five smack-a-roos for non-members. We're all on a budget, but, come on...everyone needs a little bit of zest in their lives.

Cocktails at the KMA: Burlesque is just the right amount of spice!

Untitled by Tovah Greenwood

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:07 PM | Permalink

It's no illusion

As we walked into Mirage, the new Middle Eastern restaurant on Gay Street, I felt like we stepped into another world. I was struck by the warm golden glow of the lights and deep red walls, combined with the tinkly jingle of the waitresses’ skirts draped with belts of coins. We walked through striped curtains hung from the high, gold-painted ceiling towards the back of the restaurant where we were seated on soft pillows around a small table on a carpeted dais. The exposed duct work on the ceiling and the modern-looking bar give Mirage a distinctly urban feel, while the pillows and robed waiters recall a more exotic locale than our familiar Gay Street.

I have to admit I’m no expert on Middle Eastern food. So while I pictured hummus and pita bread and baklava on the menu, my imagination ended there. But I like culinary adventures, so my mind was wide open as I read through the offerings.

Continue reading "It's no illusion" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Questioning evil

Theologians Under Hitler

“If I were raised in an evil social system, would I be able to recognize it and condemn it, or would I be a well-adjusted citizen happy with the status quo?�

That is the question raised in the film “Theologians Under Hitler,� based on the 1985 book by Robert P. Ericksen. The film’s director, Steven D. Martin, will be part of a panel discussion following a showing of his film on Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Church of the Savior at 934 Weisgarber Road.

According to film critic Cliff Vaughn of www.Ethicsdaily.com, this 64 minute documentary “focuses on three prominent men of faith who come to ally themselves with the Nazi party, and how these respected German theologians of the day embraced Adolf Hilter’s ideology and spun it for the German people.�

Author Robert P. Ericksen states that “if you looked around the university community, you almost could not find real resistance to the Nazi state. If you looked in the church, you didn’t find much resistance.� Ericksen’s book and Martin’s film also will give readers/viewers a reason to question whether current theologians would do any better when faced with a similar crisis.�

This even is sponsored by the Knoxville Ministerial Association. For more information, please contact Chris Buice at 281-9759.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 19, 2007

This Just In...

The Decemberists make Knoxville debut at the Tennessee Theatre

Who: The Decemberists
When: Wednesday, April 4, 8 p.m.
Where: Tennessee Theatre
How: Tickets are $25, plus applicable services fees, on sale Friday, February 2 at 10 a.m. at the Tennessee Theatre box office, all Tickets Unlimited outles, by phone at 656-4444 or online at TennesseeTheatre.com.

KNOXVILLE A.C. Entertainment is honored to present The Decemberists in intimate theatre performance at the historic Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday, April 4 at 8 p.m.

One of the more inspiring success stories in today's popular music scene is a group doing all the right things: exploring uncharted combinations of modern and ancient instrumentation, engaging its listeners' minds with carefully crafted lyrics and maintaining its artistic integrity upon signing to a major label.

We speak of Capitol Records' recording artists The Decemberists, who are touring in support of their critically acclaimed 2006 release, The Crane
Wife.

The Decemberists have done some amazing work in the world of indie/folk and fusion rock over the years--blending hyper-literate lyrics about Irish
folklore, life on the sea, Japanese legends and more with beautifully nuanced instrumentation. Their newest release The Crane Wife (2006) may be their
strongest effort yet. Mournful dirges like "Shankhill Butchers" recall to mind a more brutal and austere time, as does the title track "The Crane Wife."
Many of the songs detail murder, heartbreak and loss, but a vibrant warmth towards life and the rich fabric that holds it together make up much of The
Decemberists' musical tone.

Surviving the rigors of low-budget touring, even the theft of all their instruments days before a show in Hollywood in 2005, The Decemberists have come out swinging with a rabidly growing fan base. They've been the talk of countless magazine articles and even made an appearance on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report to challenge the comedian to a highly-touted guitar battle. The future looks bright for Colin Meloy and Co., and it's hard to think of a better place to
see them than the historic Tennessee Theatre on April 4.

-A.C. Entertainment

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:42 PM | Permalink

January 18, 2007

An irreverent look at show business

The Producers is the winningest (is that really a word) show to hit the Great White Way - ever. Seriously! It's snatched up more awards than any other Broadway behemoth including Phantom, Les Mis, Wicked or Cats (ffft, ffft).

And now, with a bellyful of Tonys, this Mel Brooks moster of a show has hit the road and is headed straight for us. Look out, citizens of Knoxville! If you are in the presence of a live performance of The Producers, you could easily laugh yourselves to death - or at least pee your pants!

With songs like "Springtime for Hitler" and "Keep It Gay", this madcap production is sort of like the Borat of the theatre world - nothing is sacred. Carl Thompson, General Manager of Broadway in Knoxville explained that Mel Brooks uses the stage as a vehicle to "poke fun at everyone and everything".

According to Thompson, this latest installment in this season's popular series is selling like crazy. The Producers is playing a very limited engagement at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium from January 19th through the 21st, so if you don't have tickets yet, now's the time to get that taken care of. You can contact the Broadway in Knoxville offices at (865)524-5311 or you can purchase your tickets online here.

Dont' miss your opportunity to see what Time magazine has hailed, "a gift from the show-biz gods"... and be sure to wear your Depends!

For more show history and sound clips, visit The Producers website.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:06 AM | Permalink

The Heat is on at The Preservation Pub

This Saturday night Preservation Pub is gonna be a little warmer than any other venue in town and it’s all thanks to the return of The Incredible Heat Machine.

This quintet from Murfreesboro, TN has been making routine stops in Knoxville for the last year gaining a small but loyal following for their brand of progressive rock. With influences ranging from the old school (Yes, King Crimson, Rush…) to the new school (moe., Umphrey’s McGee…) the boys have truly developed a sound of their own. To go along with the grit and complex rhythms that come with the prog rock territory The Heat adds in their love of the jamband scene utilizing genre fusion and improvisational segues that might send you on a Bonnaroo flashback. Check out their myspace page for a glimpse at their freshly released self-titled debut. Consisting of Ray Dunham (drums, vox), Jeremy Pinell (guitar, vox), Keegan Pavlovic (bass), Rob Knugg (keys), and John Turner (guitar) the Incredible Heat Machine’s five members all carry important roles uniting each layer of sound into a true musical democracy. A must see for all music lovers in town. Saturday’s show kicks off a 10 p.m. so come early, stay late and dress lightly as it’s sure to be a hot one.

Posted by the 520 gang at 9:26 AM | Permalink

January 16, 2007

The Ways We Celebrate His Life

REMEMBERING DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Exhibit January 5 - March 31, 2007
Beck Cultural Exchange Center

“The purpose of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday is to reflect on his life and all those students, preachers, teachers, janitors, doctors, lawyers, cooks and maids who gave so much in the attempt to bring equality and social change in this country and the world,� so says Avon W. Rollins, Director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center (Beck).

Beck is hosting an exhibit of artifacts relating to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at its main location at 1927 Dandridge Avenue, until March 31, 2007. All artifacts on display are from Beck’s permanent collection, and include several posters, banners, artwork and various memorabilia.

New to the Beck permanent collection and the Dr. King exhibit is a series of 6 large, striking and interesting panels documenting Dr. King’s life from the time of his childhood in Atlanta, George until his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee. The panels are entitled, “The Genesis of Martin Luther King, Jr.,“A Movement is Born in Montgomery, Alabama,� “Atlanta, Georgia Homecoming,� “I Have a Dream,� “Legal & Economic Empowerment,� and “I Have Been to the Mountaintop.� Curator of Exhibitions/Museum Planner for Knox County Libraries, Adam H. Alfrey, says these panels “progressed through a series of phases, beginning with research, writing, and image selection culminating with the final design and production. A conscious effort was made to effectively communicate the nuances of Dr. King’s personal life and career in a succinct and readable manner.�

Beck will display this exhibition yearly and will continue to add new artifacts to offer a fresh perspective on the life of Dr. King. Mr. Alfrey says that “when this exhibit is not on view, other institutions may borrow the panels in accordance with the Beck Cultural Exchange Center’s policy for outgoing loans. The Center has set a precedent of developing and lending panel exhibitions with its first series, “Stony the Road� - 7 panels that investigate the integration of area educational institutions such as Clinton City Schools and the University of Tennessee.�

In addition to his duties with the Knox County Library system, Mr. Alfrey also serves on the boards of the Frank H. McClung Museum and the Fountain City Art Center. While a student at the University of Tennessee, he won numerous awards and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. Mr. Alfrey worked with Beck Director Avon Rollins and Beck Archivists Sue Ann Reese and Phillip Smith in the preparation of the Dr. King exhibit.

Beck Cultural Exchange Center
1927 Dandridge Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37915
Phone: (865) 524-8461
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:03 PM | Permalink

Dreams

There is something really cool about dreams – especially when they are fought for, and worked at, and they materialize into reality. Cool isn’t really the right word for it, amazing perhaps? Miraculous? Certainly rare, and definitely inspiring. Jodie Manross is living her dream, and it’s been an honor to watch her grow. Now, I will say that there is something to her being gifted in making her dream a reality, her voice is truly a gift. But she has also worked long and hard not only in practicing her singing, and teaching herself guitar, (with Laith’s help of course) but also in all things business. And that’s no easy task. I had the privilege of working with her and the Jodie Manross Band back in the day and her hard work; theirs actually, is still inspiring to me. It’s no easy task being on the road, living out of cars and crappy motels, performing for 3 hours and making $150, getting lost, driving through snow storms, and always having to have your ‘game face’ on. I know many people say they’d love to be a rock star – but those are mostly people that have no idea how hard it is. The only reason I can see for all the sacrificing it takes to become a rock star is because performing your music is like breathing for the rest of us, it makes you feel alive.

Continue reading "Dreams" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:19 PM | Permalink

Cocktails at the KMA: Burlesque

You have already set aside January 24th at 6PM in your calendar for Cocktails at the KMA, right? Now we’ll letcha know what you’re signing up for…

First, and this is really cool on behalf of the KMA, all galleries will be open for the night. In the past, it’s been kinda weird to have everyone sipping drinks but you can’t see the amazing stuff they have on display, but no longer. Check out the KMA website to see what’s exhibiting now. And come on, the main ballroom where we’ll be cocktailing is hands down one of the most beautiful spaces in Knoxville, in my humble. And the night is free for members, $5 otherwise.

The rest is the cherry on top! Please note, though, that we’re still confirming this stuff, so things are subject to change, blah blah. (I’m just going to start calling everything “beta� like Google does, and it covers your ass for any changes you make along the way. Brilliant.) We’ve already put the “burlesque� theme out there: White Lightenin’ Burlesque has just this very moment confirmed a steamy performance. Tovah Greenwood will be showcasing a 50s pin-up photography series. And Gourmet’s Market is putting together cocktail finger foods that are appropriate to the 50s era. And on top of it all, delicious drinks. With alcohol. (Gotta be 21 with ID to drink, natch, but all ages can attend.) Our friends at knoxville520.com are working towards live blogging and a podcast from the night, which is freakin’ cool. And leading up to the event, we’ll have all the latest here first. ‘Cause that’s what Knoxville 520 does.

Taking it back to where this started: seems like it’s going to be a kick ass night at the KMA. See you on the 24th.

Matthew Newell

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 11, 2007

Once upon a time...

It was a dark and stormy night during the best of times and the worst of times when you called me Ishmael. You know you have always daydreamed about writing fiction. Now here is your chance to attend a FREE 3-part workshop called “The Art of the Short Story.�

The Knox County Public Library System and its writer-in-residence, Brian Griffin, will be hosting this workshop at Lawson McGhee Library at 6:00 p.m. on January 11, 18 and 25. Brian holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (fiction) from the University of Virginia, and has won several awards for his short fiction and has worked closely with several novelists, including Pulitzer Prize winner Peter Taylor (A Summons to Memphis).

The workshop will cover:

Origins of literary creativity
Process of writing
Discovering stories
Creating place in short fiction
How conflict works in short stories

This workshop is designed for avid readers, beginning and experienced writers and writing teachers. That’s you! It’s open to all ages. Attendees who participate in all three sessions and complete the suggested exercises will come away with a critiqued short story, but participation is not mandatory, and Griffin states “the lectures will stand on their own.�

For more information, please contact Nelda Hill at 215-8729.

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Back to School Weekend at the World Grotto

Yes, the holidays are over. It’s time to face those credit card bills, revise those slipping New Year’s resolutions and for many of us it’s time to go back to school. Uggghhh….I don’t feel so good.

But hey, what better way to gear up for your impending responsibilities than by taking one last chance to completely ignore them. This weekend the World Grotto is serving up the perfect menu of music and drinks for a back to school celebration; starting with Friday’s triple threat of Jescoe, The Billings Band and Mac Comer and culminating with Saturday night’s “Dirty Thirty Birthday Bash� featuring artvandalay and Strut. To fuel the weekend parties the Grotto is offering a variety of drink specials. For the adventurous there will be a shooters bar filled with exotic concoctions and for the purists you can get a $6 shot o' whiskey and a PBR. (a true Tennessee combo meal)

Come down Friday for a great mix of local talent. The eclectic sounds of Jescoe have been echoing around Knoxville for the last few years, evolving into a huge resonance that is part soul, part funk and part rock. Propelled by dead on vocals, harmonized horn lines and lead guitar; this six-piece group has been working hard and playing harder, steadily making a name for themselves in the Knoxville scene. Come early, as they will be backed by the pop-rock quartet The Billings Band and everyone’s favorite hippie dude Mac Comer.

Saturday’s “Dirty Thirty Birthday Bash� will be in honor of our friend, local photographer, Caleb Wilson. Spurred on by two energetic jam-fusion bands, Knoxville’s artvandalay and Asheville’s Strut, the all night party includes a costume contest in which Caleb will award prizes for the “dirtiest� and the “cleanest� getups. Artvandalay and Strut are two diverse jambands whose sounds definitely compliment each other. Local boys artvandalay pull in elements of funk, latin, jazz, and prog rock to make music punctuated by wide open improvisation while Strut blends ska, hip-hop, rock and reggae into an all out dance party. Both bands are Bonnaroo Music Festival veterans and have shared a stage together in the recent past. So whether you know Caleb, know the bands, or are just looking for an excuse to get out your favorite disguise and dance the night away; the World Grotto is where it’s at this Saturday night.

Both night events will get started at 10 p.m. and go late. So spend your final weekend of freedom on Market Square at the World Grotto. With school closed on Monday you’ll have plenty of time to nurse that hangover. No excuses. I’ll see you there.

Posted by the 520 gang at 9:36 AM | Permalink

January 8, 2007

Cinderella Confidential

The Actors Co-op presents a timeless children’s fairy-tale with a modern day twist in their upcoming production of Cinderella Confidential.

Cinderella Confidential weaves the well-known tale of Cinderella into the all-too-real world of media frenzy. As two investigative reporters compete for the scoop of the century, they encounter many of our favorite fairy-tale characters: Jack and his cow, Pinocchio, two mean & ugly stepsisters, and, of course, a Fairy Godmother. Together with the help of their new friends, the reporters prowl thru the enchanted kingdom in search of the Prince’s one true love and the owner of the mysterious single glass slipper. While on their journey, they learn all sorts of lessons that fairy-tales were designed to teach.

Cinderella Confidential is smart, imaginative and uses the ever-popular "fractured fairy tale" approach to the familiar story. The quick witted jokes and the emergence of one fairy-tale character after another is sure to delight both children and adults alike. Playwright, Eric Coble, stated that creating his children’s plays is like “watching my own children play: they’re going along and-suddenly there’s a volcano! How are we going to get around that? I know, I’ll grow fairy wings!�. The cleverness in his writing has earned him fans all across the world.

Continue reading "Cinderella Confidential" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:16 PM | Permalink

May we suggest...

This just in from the folks over at Disc Exchange, who definitely know what they're talking about:

The Shins

Wincing The Night Way

Wincing The Night Away is The Shins’ third full-length album, is the sound of a band growing up and out – get ready to experience everything from a loping hip-hop beat with lush melody and searing guitars; tweaked-out, liquid piano steeped in kaleidoscopic strings; gauzy, arpeggiated keyboards cloaking thunderous anthems; and, taking cues from early Jesus and Mary Chain albums, sweeping, fuzz-toned epics. Consider yourself surprised.

Check out a few tracks in our pop-up jukebox at discexchange.com.

(Editor's note) You can also check out some killer videos at the band's site.

-The Disc Exchange

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 4, 2007

Corner Lounge to the rescue!

Knoxville blues legend, Detroit Dave Meers, suffered a massive heart attack a couple of weeks ago and now requires surgery to replace a faulty heart valve. As if the heart attack wasn't bad enough, like many hard working musicians, Detroit Dave has no insurance to cover his mounting medical expenses.

Enter your trusty, neighborhood Corner Lounge...

The good folks at this North Knox bar are going rustle up some emergency funds for Detroit Dave - one of their regular performers - by way of a series of benefit events. The first fundraiser is this very evening at 8 p.m.

Tonight's show will be an impromptu jam session, so this is an official call to all you musician-types to grab an instrument and join in the charitable fun. The music world is a tight-knit community and this will be an opportunity to see artists of different genres and backgrounds making brand new and exciting music in the name of helping one of their own. There will drink specials and no cover charge. Donations will be accepted and all collected money will go directly to Detroit Dave's family.

Although the gathering tonight will be informal, there will be more large-scale festivals in Detroit Dave's honor in the weeks to come. The main event is tentatively being planned for the weekend of March 10. Stay tuned!

Oh! And in case you were wondering, Greg and Ed will be covering for Detroit Dave on his regular Wednesday night gigs until he's well enough to return. Greg (Horne) will still be playing his solo set beforehand, so come early for both fantastic shows!

Viva Detroit!

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 2, 2007

Eaglesmith rolls on into WDVX Blue Plate

FREDHEADS UNITE!

“Eaglesmith can jump easily from poignant to hilarious, and his stage patter is about as good as his songs…Eaglesmith is the real deal. So are his songs...In the music world, it’s always fun to watch artists come out of the proverbial nowhere and build a large and loyal following not on the strength of hype and massive marketing campaigns but on the strength of chops, talent and pure old fashioned hard work.� - Jim Beal, Jr, San Antonio Express News.

“An uncommon ability to handle difficult topics with such care and candor make Fred a cherished story-teller whose insightful understanding of human foibles brings to mind the mournful sweetness of Doc Watson’s delivery and the potent compassion of Springsteen’s songbook.� - Rutland Herald

“I like the depth [he’s] digging with this songwriting, taking an unusual perspective and debunking dreamy stereotypes.� - Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Sun

“Eaglesmith still sleeps with his guitar on his bed.� - nucountry.com

During last December’s local Writer’s Block concert, WDVX disc jockey and award winning singer/songwriter, Karen Reynolds, commented that the Writer’s Block series and WDVX’s Blue Plate Special gives musicians a reason to stop in Knoxville. This Thursday, January 4, songwriting extraordinaire, Fred J. Eaglesmith will be making a stop at WDVX’s studio for a live performance at noon.

Continue reading "Eaglesmith rolls on into WDVX Blue Plate" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:09 AM | Permalink

David Rawlings Machine

Editors note: Due to overwhelming local contributions to our site, Ms. Newton's piece has been in the hopper for a couple of weeks, but it's still very much worth the read!

The Tuesday after the Monday after the...

It's taken this long to recover from the double shot that was Gillian Welch and David Rawlings' recent show. The first shot rang at the World Grotto and was billed, rather last minute, as "David Rawlings Machine." Once you got used to the idea of a velvet-roped entrance on Market Square, the feeling that a frisking was entirely possible, and a $15.00 cover charge, the show began.

From that point on, it was easy to fathom paying twice that, enjoying a frisking, or the standing-room only that was created by a crowd thrilled to be a part of what felt like David Rawlings' living room. Everyone thought that the "Machine" would be Gillian Welch. She was present, very accounted for, and provided the gracious harmonies that Rawlings often gives her. But the real Machine was Rawlings' 1935 Epiphone Olympic, with an arch top, and f-holes on the face, like a violin. Any woman in that room, and undoubtedly a fair amount of the guys present, would love to be reincarnated as his guitar. It's as if he was dancing alone with his beauty, whispering to her, making sweet love which happened to result in sound that shook you in some deep and almost frightening place.

Continue reading "David Rawlings Machine" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 28, 2006

Bluesy world fusion

TREY SANSOM’S DIDGERIBLUE

A wonderful advertising error occurred last fall when a local music venue ran the wrong ad for a Friday night show. I arrived expecting to hear a 1970’s style funk band, but onstage was a man setting up multiple didgeridoos and guitars. What the…?!? That man was Trey Sansom. Playing such diverse cover songs such as Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry,� Peter Rowan’s “The Hobo Song,� David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,� and The Beatles’s “A Day in the Life,� plus very upbeat and positive originals, including an Aboriginal inspired instrumental that was so good I thought branches would start growing from his didgeridoos, I quickly became a rabid fan and I try to catch his shows whenever he and his band play.

This Friday, December 29, at 10:00 p.m. at Preservation Pub, Trey Sansom’s Didgeriblue will be opening for Gatlinburg bluegrass-punk-Irish-pirates, Cutthroat Shamrock.

Trey says “Didgeriblue is the concept of mixing American roots music with the ancient sounds of the Australian didgeridoo with a hint of the Caribbean to create a refreshing new sound. The blues, rock, bluegrass, reggae, Latin and indigenous sounds are all flavors that can be found at a Didgeriblue show. Some refer to the sound as “bluesy southern world fusion,� while others cannot describe what they’re hearing, or feeling for that matter. They just can’t believe what they are seeing. � I couldn’t believe it either, when I saw Didgeriblue for the fist time. Prior to this show, I didn’t think I was particularly enamored of the didgeridoo, but I was immediately delighted and hooked by this unusual droning sound being joyfully incorporated into a variety of music styles.

Continue reading "Bluesy world fusion" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Longbranch lowdown

THE LONGBRANCH SALOON
30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

This Friday, December 29th, the Longbranch Saloon, at 1848 Cumberland Avenue, will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. My first foray into the Longbranch was in 1987. A friend had told me that one time a man had been thrown through the saloon’s front window. I didn’t know if that story was true, but it was enough to make me want to step inside. I was never disappointed with a trip to the Long Branch. You could always count on meeting out of the ordinary people and the Branch’s excellent juke box was legendary.

R.B. Morris says "the basic story is that this is the 30 year anniversary of the Longbranch Saloon, 15 years on one side of the street and 15 years on the other. That’s quite a legacy in an a-historical college town. The bar’s been through a world of changes, different eras, different times, but has a long tradition as an artist and musician’s bar. A mixed crowd of the most interesting people."

This special anniversary celebration will kick off at 8:00 p.m. and there is no cover charge, so you can come and go as you please. At press time, I was not able to confirm with owners John and Diane Stockman the exact musical lineup, but in typical Longbranch fashion, the evening will be laid back and relaxed with no particular structure. Word has it that stepping out of the way back machine will be spoken word artist Jack Rentfro, R.B. Morris with Tim & Susan Lee, Brad Renfro, and The Magnetoes with Gene "Geno" Riordan. Maybe some punk bands will show up. Maybe Steve Horton and some of his friends will be there. Perhaps Phil Pollard and a Human or two will be up to some percussive tricks. Rumor also has it that there will be a video/photo presentation of Longbranch history.

Please stop in for a bit of nostalgic fun and help celebrate 3 fascinating decades of Cumberland Avenue history. For more details, please contact:

Longbranch Saloon
1848 Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee
(865) 546-9914

Jack Rentfro

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:53 AM | Permalink

2006 Winter Retroknox

We here at Knoxville520 consider ourselves cool and hip, that goes without saying. But that doesn't mean we're above gooey sentiment. Flush with holiday wine and nostalgia, we decided to take a look back at Knoxville 2006 to determine which events in town had the biggest impact on our lives. And, as always, we asked what plays/gigs/concerts/pagan rituals inspired you the most this year. Here's what we all had to say.

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The best of 2006 by far has to be the creation of Knoxville's own Roller Derby league, The Hard Knox Roller Girls. Supporting 3 teams, The Lolitas Locas (season champions), The Black Bettys and The Machine Gun Kellys. 40+ bad ass ladies from Knoxville have shed blood, sweat, tears, had tons of bruises, quite a few broken bones, and with a crap load of determination, these hot girls in short skirts have brought back this very violent sport just for your viewing pleasure. What could be better than that??

-Sugaree97

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When Awadagin Pratt played Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1 with the Knoxville Symphony- I was in the balcony and could hardly stay in my seat.

-Cynthia Markert

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It's really impossible to choose from so many good ones, but I guess I have to say Richard Thompson's performance at the Bijou.

-Peter Scheffler

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Madama Butterfly, Knoxville Opera, Tennessee Theatre

As a new opera fan, this was my first foreign language opera and I fell in love with Puccini. At the opera's end, when Butterfly commits suicide, the stage curtain dropped immediately and it was over. It was a startling, emotional and blunt ending. Unlike in a Shakespeare tragedy, where many characters die, usually someone comes forth and claims to be in charge and wraps things up. The realism of death being final and leaving the audience hanging the opera's most climatic moment was brilliant. Puccini's secondary characters were also very endearing and the music was beautiful. Within a week after wards, I had opera tickets to Puccini's Turnadot in Nashville and Puccini's Tosca in Atlanta. It was a wonderful tour inspired by the Knoxville Opera's Madama Butterfly.

-Debra Dylan

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2006 was another year of great music in Knoxville of which the list would be too long to list. But my favorites are still some that for some reason are little used. WDVX blue plate special comes to mind with stars like Sam Bush, John Cowan, Rodney Crowell, Goose Creek, Jim Lauderdale, Del Mccoury, Marty Stuart to name a few. The Corner Lounge is a cozy place to drink a wide assortment of beer and hear some really great bands too. The Laurel Theater is a well kept secret in Knoxville with well known local and world wide artist with a wide genre of music. But I would have to say my favorite would be Writers Block at the Knoxville Museum of Art. It happens on usually the first Wednesday of the month and who you hear you might not know of but it is always a pleasant surprise. It is a singer songwriter deal and you always go away feeling better for some reason. Of course there are artist you might know there too like R.B. Morris, Jay Clark, Malcolm Holcombe, Maggie Longmire, Karen E. Reynolds to name a few. The last one was Jason Wilber and it was another don't miss show. Go out and buy a Jason Wilber cd and you will get the idea. Who is Jason Wilber you say? He has played guitar for John Prine for the last 11 years. It is here in Knoxville so get out and enjoy. The local band scene is better than ever before check out bands like The Lonetones, The Drunk Uncles, The Band of Humans, The Bearded, Sara Schwabe, Scott Miller, Dark Hollow Band, Lonesome Coyotes, Mountain Heart, Robinella, Wildfire the list goes on and on. You missed 2006. Do not miss 2007. The best way to keep up? You DO know that. You are here!!!!

-Dennis Double

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My opinion of the best entertainment event of 2006, huh? Well, as host of Writer's Block, I'd be remiss if didn't say that the concert series has had the biggest impact on MY life. I'm constantly amazed at the talent that, while appreciated by discerning listeners, still aren't household names. I've been blessed this past year with a front row seat to some of the best independent artists around. They've all been spectacular and just when I think another artist can't possibly put on a better performance, the next one surpasses the previous. Amazing. I am always moved and always entertained...and I'm an old fart, jaded musician myself. I've already seen and heard more music than most people hear in a lifetime. I'm, frankly, hard to impress...yet the artists who play this series consistently blow me away with their songs, voices and ability to connect and move the audience.

A bonus of this is that I witness, time and time again, the support that Knoxville concert goers are always willing to provide. People who genuinely appreciate the music and the people behind it, flock in by the droves and buy cds like they're going out of style. God love 'em! . So, clearly, I'd have to say that the series has had the most impact on my year. I may be the host, but it has nothing to do with me...it's about the music. Always.

Taking things a little beyond my orbit of all things "Block", the event that made a most distinctive mark on my entertainment memory, was this year's Hank Days. So many wonderful local folk were heard and they seriously rocked the Old City in the name of charity. Playing for free...honoring one of Knoxville's own heroes, one Mr. Terry Hill, and providing lessons and instruments to youngun's here in East Tennessee, insuring that the music scene in Knoxville remains in good hands. I mean...does it GET any better'n that?

And I gotta toss props to the 520 Team. Your presence has been a boon to all; venues, artists, music lovers and visitors to our fair citeh! You've made an indelible impact on all of us. Much Obliged for all you do!

Kudos to ALL the events, efforts and happenings that continue to make Knoxville THE place to be for great music and fun. I'm a Knoxville girl...Fountain City, specifically...and in my own musical travels, am always proud to boast that we have it going on in these parts.

KnoxVegas...may we always kick musical ass!

Best to Y'all for a happy and prosperous 2007!

-Karen E. Reynolds

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Well, as usual, I'm going to be selfish. My favorite event of Knoxville 2006 was the back-to-back performance marathon of Rocky Horror at The Fairbanks on Halloween. The crowd was rabid, the drinks were plenty, and blood, sweat, and feathers littered the stage. 'Twas beautiful.

-Joe Beuerlein

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I think the two Knoxville performances that moved me the most both took place at the Bijou: Jamie Cullum and The Dresden Dolls. Both shows featured artists of more than exceptional talent, charisma and showmanship. Both shows made me want to be a better musician and performer, myself. During 2006, I was shown time and time again that the Arts are alive and growing in Knoxville. Just think of how great 2007 will be!

-Sara Schwabe

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Posted by the 520 gang at 10:51 AM | Permalink

December 25, 2006

Drink & be merry!

Since most of us will be spending more time at home during the holidays, we thought we’d hook you up with some hot new holiday cocktail recipes to try in your own kitchen with those you love. (We’ve even thrown in a non-alcoholic recipe if you need to detox a little bit!)

The Brandy Blazer

2 small shots of cognac
1 sugar cube
orange twist
lemon twist

Combine all ingredients in rocks glass. Flambe and stir with long spoon. Extinguish flame and strain into a brandy snifter. Serve warm.

The Snowball

Rim sugar
Lemon wedge
Lemon-lime soda
Advocaat liqueur (Dutch vanilla brandy liqueur)

Rim cocktail glass with sugar. Put ice cubes in glass. Fill 1/3 of the way with advocaat and fill the rest of the way with soda. Garnish with lemon wedge. Mixture will be cloudy white (hence the name).

Cranberry Slush

1 cup boiling water
3 cups cold water
1 large pkg. Jell-0
1 12oz lemonade
1 12oz orange juice
2 cups cranberry juice
1 liter lemon-lime soda
1 cup vodka
1 cup brandy

Add 1 cup boiling water to jello and dissolve. Then add the rest of ingredients. Freeze and serve 50/50 with soda. Stir enough to be slushy in glass.

Hot Cider Punch

1 qt organic apple cider
1 pt cranberry juice
1 pt orange juice
1/2 sugar
1 tsp whole allspice
1 tsp whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks

Put all items in a large pot on the stove and bring almost to a boil. Serve hot in mugs. Garnish with slice of orange if desired.

Pennsylvania Dutch Eggnog cocktail

3oz Pennsylvania Dutch Eggnog (use this brand only for this recipe)
1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka
3/4 oz hazelnut liqueur
Nutmeg

Shake all ingredients in metal shaker and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh-ground nutmeg.

The Albion

3 parts Dr. Pepper (seriously)
1 part port wine
Whole cloves
Cinnamon sticks

Combine soda and port in a glass. Add two whole cloves and a cinnamon stick. Heat and serve.

You know the drill - please drink responsibly. Also, let us know if you try any of these. We always want to know what you've got to say!

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:11 PM | Permalink

First Trip to the New Tavern

After fifteen years in Knoxville I jump at the chance to go anywhere different. So this past Saturday some friends and I decided to check out the new kid in town, The Sidestreet Tavern. It’s location in the Homberg area is somewhat hidden (hence the name), but guided by the map which they wisely placed in their ad we had no trouble finding them. My initial reaction when I walked in was disappointment. The music was loud and hit a sour note in my ear, the crowd was generally older, and all drink specials had ended by the time we arrived. I leaned over to my girlfriend and said “Let’s just have one drink and go.�

I made way to the bar and was promptly served a $3 Shiner Bock draft. Then I actually looked around, a Jerry Garcia black and white abstract portrait next to Sinatra’s mugshot caught my eye. Next, I had to change the music. To my surprise The Sidestreet Tavern has the first “Internet Jukebox� I have ever come across. It literally has any song you could want. The only gimmick is that you have to pay twice as much if your selection has to be downloaded, but still very cool. So at this point my experience is starting to turn around.

After picking out some tunes we took a look around. The house-like tavern turned out to be much larger than expected with a dining room lined with booths and tables offset by a few large video games, all sports I believe. Then we ventured up stairs. The second level loft turned out to be the coolest part of the Sidestreet Tavern. Its like your own personal living room stocked with comfortable couches, two TV’s (you even get the remote), a foosball table, and the only shuffleboard table I’ve seen in Knoxville.
So we got into some mean shuffleboard action and totally lost track of time. That loft was definitely the high point of my experience. But then a group of suit clad business types came upstairs to claim their territory. One of them actually did a drunken jig and made some sort of barking or grunting noises. At that point it was almost last call and we decided to head home.

All in all I ended up liking but not loving The Sidestreet Tavern. Nevertheless, the shuffleboard and the online jukebox are enough to validate a recommendation that everyone in town go check it out for themselves.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 21, 2006

Talk to us

Holy crap! 2006 is almost over!

Before we officially turn our thoughts to the exciting possibilities awaiting all of us in 2007, we want to take a moment to reflect on the past 12 months: There were some outstanding shows that came through Knoxville, some near history-making festivals, gobs of local bands raising the entertainment bar in this town, and several theatrical productions that made you forget this is Tennessee and not New York.

With that said...you, Trusty Reader, must have a favorite event of 2006. 520 wants to know about the one Knoxville event/show/production/festival/whatever that had the biggest impact on you and why. Give us all the gorey details and we'll include it in our upcoming 2006 Winter Retroknox.

Just click on our email address at the bottom of the Knoxville520 homepage and send us your sordid stories. (Ok...everyone knows that Bonnaroo kicked huge ass and probably changed a few lives, but let's focus on stuff that happened in our fair city.)

Submissions must be in our hot little inbox no later than Wednesday, Dec. 27th at 5pm to be considered.

As usual, we can't wait to hear what y'all have to say!

The 520 Gang

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:15 PM | Permalink

This just in from AC Entertainment!

Harry Connick, Jr. and His Big Band Bring
"My New Orleans Tour" to Knoxville

Who: Harry Connick, Jr. and His Big Band
When: Saturday, March 10, 2007, 8 p.m.
Where: Knoxville Civic Coliseum
How: Tickets go on sale Friday, January 12 at 10 a.m. at the Tennessee Theatre box office, all Tickets Unlimited outlets, by phone at 656-4444 or online at www.tennesseetheatre.com. Tickets are $67, $60, $37, plus applicable service fees.

KNOXVILLE Following his critically acclaimed performance in the Broadway show The Pajama Game, Harry Connick, Jr. takes to the road with his Big Band in support of two albums to be released on January 30, 2007.

Oh, My Nola features four new songs written by Connick as well as classic tunes associated with New Orleans, including Hank Williams' hit "Jambalaya." With the assistance of his Big Band, plus the added input of a few special guests, he has created an unprecedented musical cornucopia of songs inspired by the Crescent City.

Chanson du Vieux Carré, Connick's third instrumental piano release in the Marsalis Music label's Connick on Piano series, also comes out January 30. The disc was recorded with his Big Band in May 2003, long before Hurricane Katrina. The collection of original and traditional songs serves as a stirring tribute to Connick's native New Orleans.

In addition to his music and humanitarian work, Connick has kept himself busy performing on Broadway and making a name for himself as a television and film actor. He made his Broadway theatrical debut in The Pajama Game in January 2006. The cast album from the Tony Award-winning production was just nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Musical Show Album.

A portion of Connick’s royalties from both of the discs, and 100 percent of Connick’s royalties from the single “All These People,� will benefit the New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village (www.habitat-nola.org and click on Musicians’ Village), a project conceived by Connick and his longtime friend and colleague (and Marsalis Music founder) Branford Marsalis.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:43 AM | Permalink

Three is a Magic Number

Projecting a sound of funk heavy fusion The Colonel Sanders Trio is one of the newest additions to the Knoxville music scene, and this week all the unacquainted music lovers here in town have two chances to get onboard. First on Thursday at Manhattans in the Old City, then again Saturday night at The New Knoxville Brewing Company.

I had my first chance to hear the guys a few weeks back at their last New Knox gig. Arriving just after the first set, I was surprised to find the tasting room almost uncomfortably packed. My initial reaction: “Who are these guys, and how did they manage to draw this well at one of Knoxville hardest to find venues?� I recently sat down with The Colonel Sanders Trio to get the scoop.

All three musicians all hail from right here in Knoxville, taking their title from drummer Brian “Colonel� Sanders, a nickname given to him by a friend some years back. Rounding out the rhythm section with Sanders is the low-end groove of bassist Cary Dunning. The two provide a tightly knit musical mesh for guitarist Warren Gilbreath to display his eclectic palette of fretboard chops.

Gilbreath describes their collective sound as “mostly based on improv� with much of their original material stemming from recorded jam sessions. Listening back to those tapes they would find musical seeds to cultivate together into new tunes. This approach to writing lets their music flow out conversationally on the stage with genre mutating melodies book-ending open areas of exploration. Those originals are balanced by a constantly expanding repertoire of cover songs. For example the one show I witnessed included covers ranging from Curtis Mayfield’s “Stone Junky� to The Beatles “And Your Bird Can Sing�.

What does the future hold? With about fifteen varied instrumental compositions under their belt they are excited about the possibilities of recording an album. These three Farragut High graduates, all currently studying at UT, seem honestly inspired by the sheer fun of making music and with their play anywhere, practice whenever possible attitudes it seems certain that nothing is off limits for The Colonel Sanders Trio.
Check them out this Thursday at Manhattan’s in the Old City and again this Saturday at The New Knoxville Brewing Company. Both shows start at 9:30 p.m.

Visit the band's website here.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:07 AM | Permalink

December 18, 2006

Weekly album review

Solomon Burke: Nashville

Short review this week...You have to check out 60's soul legend Solomon Burke's foray into country, Nashville. The sound comes completely naturally for Burke and the sparse instrumentation showcases his warm voice. Fantastic collaborations abound here including songs with Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton. Buddy Miller handles the production. Nashville, like the past couple albums in Burke's recent "comeback", is an excellent listen for a lazy Sunday.
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The Black Crowes - Lost Crowes

It goes without saying that the Black Crowes aren't what they used to be. In the early days, fueled by ganja, piss, and vinegar, the band, led by the brothers Robinson, was out to conquer the world as a loud-mouthed, boot-stomping Southern rock outfit. Like many "Amoricans", I feel that the Crowes' strongest period lies somewhere between the second and fourth studio record. During this time, two sessions, which could have easily become albums, were scrapped and forgotten about for the most part. The Tall Sessions and Band Sessions seemed like only pieces of folklore to the Black Crowes faithful. That is, until the arrival of The Lost Crowes. This two-disc set, finds the Crowes during these sessions, before Johnny Colt cut his hair, hung up his boots and left to join the rock and roll powerhouse known as Train, and before Marc Ford was asked to leave the band due to his strong passion for the needle.

The Tall Sessions feature a good deal of material that eventually ended up on the Amorica record, in their earliest stages, and even a track that would eventually end up on Three Snakes and One Charm. Songs such as "A Conspiracy", "Hi-Head Blues", and "Wiser Time" are featured on the project, sounding a bit more laid back and less produced than what eventually ended up on Amorica. Beyond the eventual album tracks, these sessions produced many greats that have indeed been lost Crowes tracks, only getting airtime during live shows. These tracks cover the entire spectrum of what the Black Crowes sound truly is. "Dirty Head Halo" leans heavily on the Gram Parsons influence that was ever-present during the band's Amorica or Bust period. "Tied Up and Swallowed" falls into the balls out, rowdy sound that Chris Robinson liked to strut to. However, the most remarkable track from these sessions would have to be the dark-themed "Feathers", an almost seven-minute ballad that features wonderful Rhodes work by none other than Eddie Harsch.

1997's The Band Sessions features more of the better-known tracks that never made it to the studio releases. The opening two songs, "Paint an Eight" and "Another Roadside Tragedy", are both songs that fans have likely heard live. Both continue to be kept in the live rotation to this very day, and for good reason. Unlike the Tall Sessions, these sessions only contain one piece, "If It Ever Stops Raining", that would eventually be renamed as "By Your Side", the title-track to the Crowes' fifth studio release. The two tracks that really set these sessions apart are definitely, "Wyoming and Me" and "Grinnin'." "Wyoming..." is a down tempo love ballad that is very much like Chris Robinson's New Earth Mud material, while "Grinnin'" hints at a future Crowes sound unheard at that point.

The Black Crowes today are not what they were fifteen or even ten years ago. Both Marc Ford and Eddie Harsch have both left the band recently, leaving only the Robinson brothers and drummer, Steve Gorman in the fold. Oh well, I guess this will be the last thing that we Amoricans can treasure from the original line-up from what once was and will always be one of the most rock-and-roll of rock bands. ---Andrew Bryant

(P.S., be sure to check out the Disc Exchange website for great holiday gift ideas!)

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:44 PM | Permalink

Good vibrations

You might think that if you were to tell the handsome 16-year-old frontman of a rock band, riding the wave of a hit single, that he would someday grow up to master the droning instrument known as the didgeridoo, it would be a proposal promising all of the fun and excitement of owning a pet sloth.

But that's precisely the path Phil Jones followed.

The young band Phil Jones and the Unknown Blues created a buzz in their hometown of Sydney, Australia, with their single "If I Had a Ticket," capitalizing on their blues-tinged pop sound. But the same man who belted a thoroughly danceable version of "Pick a Bale of Cotton"--the 1967 video is available for viewing on YouTube--went on to continue evolving the idea of "spiritual" in his own life.

After a brief stab at a solo career, Jones, by then performing under the name "Shiva," was involved with the UK-based Quintessence, playing a multitude of European festivals during their career in the early '70s.

"I had a long background in the healing effects of Sacred Mantras and Meditation going back to the mid 1960’s," Jones comments in an e-mail interview, and Quintessence embraced these ideas as a regular part of their repertoire, frequently highlighting chanting as part of their shows, and even claiming a "household guru."

Continue reading "Good vibrations" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:52 AM | Permalink

Got to get it in your soul

BRENT THOMPSON & HIS WANDERING CIRCUS

Brent Thompson & His Wandering Circus is awe inspiring. This eclectic, multi-dimensional, harmonic, melodic, sometimes angelic, and downright soulful band of 15 of some of the area’s most talented musicians, led by charismatic ringleader Brent Thompson, will be bringing their unique and exciting sideshow to the Preservation Pub on Thursday, December 21st, beginning at 10:00 p.m.

Please do not be put-off by their clown makeup. Even if you suffer from coulrophobia, the clowning is, thankfully, kept to a minimum, is never precious, and at times adds to the joyous and poignant moments. And what moments! If you can imagine a vintage VW bus being driven by Bob Dylan and loaded with Jerry Lee Lewis, Mama Cass, John Lennon, Lenny Kravitz, Chris Robinson, and various jazz legends, then you are starting to get an idea of what this circus is about.

Based on the two performances I have seen, their shows have kicked off with the band’s wonderful Mardi-Gras style entrance with the clowns playing sousaphone, whistles, maracas and hand percussion, while leading into Thompson’s original instrumental “Tennessee Redbone.� Pianist Ben Maney shines throughout the show, and punctuates this song with flairs of Thelonious Monk and Charlie Mingus, while Jamie Warren gleefully responds on trombone and Kirk Fleta wails on harmonica. The full band is also together for the beautiful and mysterious “Head of Mine� and the raucous and soulful “Guilty Hat.� This is where Thompson earns the right to wear his big afro wig. Between his passionate vocals and the growing momentum of the changes in this song, plus Maney and Fleta having out-of-body experiences, and the backup vocalists getting funky, it is all but impossible to remain seated. One sign that this band is something special is the reaction of their audience. At first, the crowd is talkative and socializing, but it isn’t long before the room gets quiet and people are closely listening. It is also not unusual to see spontaneous eruptions of excitement from audience members. The music is that powerful, arresting and interesting.

The emotion provoked by “Guilty Hat� is followed up by a dreamy and orchestral original entitled “Go Where You Want to Be.� Here, Maney switches to organ, which adds a nice variety and cinematic quality to this song. Thompson said the title to this song came to him “like a freight train and he had to write his feelings down and explain them. I have said this to many friends who feel stuck in certain places in their lives.�

Thompson refers to his delightful and gently Dixieland fused “I Get High,� as “the almighty love song. With so many vices to chose from, the feeling of being with someone you love trumps them all.� When I saw the band perform this song at World Grotto, the audience was enrapt, but a lone cowboy leapt up and danced a slow and sexy soft-shoe. (You gotta love that.) The backup vocals on “I Get High� are stunning, as they are “On The Road to London.� This beautiful and mournful song is graced with Kellye Thompson’s vocals backing brother Brent, with Alexia Pantanizopoulas on cello. Another first-rate quality about the Circus is that not all of the performers participate in every song. The variety of instrumentation is well organized and executed, thus not overwhelming or tiring the listener.

Continue reading "Got to get it in your soul" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

December 14, 2006

Bonnaroo 2007

Here's the latest release about the 2007 'roo:

2007 Bonnaroo Early Bird Tickets are SOLD OUT!

We're excited to announce that the sixth annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is confirmed to take place June 14 - 17, 2007. The four-day camping and music festival will once again be held on the same beautiful, 700-acre farm in Manchester, TN, 60 miles southeast of Nashville.

Stay tuned to the website and mailing list for all info including lineup announcements, special activities and more. We are looking forward to another incredible festival and to seeing you all in Manchester!!

--The Bonnaroo Folks

Posted by the 520 gang at 5:05 PM | Permalink

Have a honky-tonk holiday!

This Friday night, ye olde Corner Lounge will celebrate the spirit of the holiday season by hosting a benefit show for the Toys For Tots campaign.

This won't be just any fundraising show, folks. This particular bill will feature some of our area's finest folk, country and bluegrass musicians joining forces for a merry marathon of a concert.

Festivities get underway at 8 p.m. with popular local singer/songwriter, Scott McMahan. He's been regularly hypnotizing folks with his soulful-folksongs at Manhattan's and the Backroom BBQ. Ellen Mallemee wrote in a 2005 MetroPulse that "...within Scott McMahan's wounded, tender voice there's a tremor that makes women want to take him home, make him some stew, smooth the worry from his brow and put him to bed." Get the soup ready, ladies.

Next up will be the ever-entertaining Maid Rite Stringband. Sarah Pirkle, Leah Gardner, Josh Sidman and Matt Morelock spin bluegrass tales in the grand tradition of The Carter Family. They've also thrown in some Tom Petty and Ray Charles to keep you on your toes, and their vibrant energy will get you dancing while you're up there!

Jay Clark will take the stage next with his much-loved original songs of social consciousness and alcoholism. Clark's own traditional country tunes and warm stage presence have earned him fans all over the country, but especially here in Knoxville. His now rare local appearances draw gobs of people, so get to The Corner early if'n you want a seat.

The star at the top of a rowdy musical Christmas tree will be The Drunk Uncles. If you haven't seen these guys in action, Friday's your night. Rest assured that none of your crazy uncles can hold a candle to these wildly talented guys! Their whirlwind mix of true country music, Pabst Blue Ribbon and occasional table dancing will keep the joint jumpin' til the wee hours. (Pow!)

All this talent, and more, could be yours for the low, low price of $7 at the door. Proceeds from this benefit show at The Corner Lounge will go directly to the Toys for Tots drive. They will also be accepting donations of new toys in addition to the cover.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:52 AM | Permalink

December 11, 2006

Running for Ray

Holidays. While their meanings maybe different for us all but one thing can be counted on to achieve that special feeling of Yuletide unity- we all need more money. Yes, everyone has to take their turn to strap on the gut and the red suit and shove your ass down the chimney with something for the ones you love. Some of us are banking on that holiday bonus, others are taking up temporary jobs like waiting tables or wrapping someone else’s department store purchases. Perhaps its because I’ve spent the last five years waiting tables and bartending, but this year I am honestly thankful for my supplemental source of income: being an event runner. This past week I took a break from cramming for finals to pull two long shifts “running�, first for Ray Lomantagne at the Bijou Theatre and then for The GAC Christmas Spectacular at the Tennessee Theatre.

So what is a “runner�? Basically you’re a temporary employee hired for a specific event to do whatever comes up, (you’re the event’s bitch). You answer to a hierarchy of bosses from the artist himself down to the parking lot attendant; “Hey buddy here’s a fiver, can you get me a can a grizzly on your next time out?� Staple runs include filling hospitality needs (groceries, alcohol, patchouli oil, etc.) and making pick-ups of bus drivers and/or crewmembers. My tasks range from urgent show stopping equipment needs to things like, “Ray wants some Peanut-Butter Twix�.

The workday is longer than average, from 8-16 hours, but it gives me a real perspective what it takes to put on a show. The type of music, show production, the size of the band and the general neediness of the artist all play into how long and busy my day will be. Tuesday at the Bijou Theatre I worked for Ray LaMontagne, one of the better experiences I’ve had. The day started at noon with the routine shopping and flowed relatively smoothly to a pre-midnight close. Ray and I exchanged a few brief words here and there, which I understand is more than he usually gives strangers. His crew was cool and organized including his tour manger Daniel.

A quick word about tour managers: they can make or break everyone’s day. Some are cool and collected, generally nice people, who seem passionate about their artist’s music and the part his crew get to play in the music scene. Others are pretentious whip crackers, who swear something’s about to go wrong cause, “local workers in these backwoods towns don’t know nothing bout showbidness�. Daniel was definitely the first type. He kept me busy, but was very polite and when the show started I was completely free to enjoy it.

I’ll have to admit I had never seen or heard much of Ray Lamontagne. Maybe a song or two had passed through my ears listening to the radio but I never really picked up on it. So with fresh ears I went into the show about ten minutes after his set began. The Bijou was sold out and completely dark except for one dim red light that come down on Ray and his band. The music instantly grabbed my attention. His voice is huge and raspy and sounds perfect with his band, which included a pedal steel (one of my all-time favorite instruments). Lamontagne said nearly nothing to the crowd all night except one comment on how great the acoustics were in the room. Then it happened. One of our good ol’ boys let it fly, “FREE BIRD!� Ray rolled his eyes and proceeded to fake slitting his wrists on the stage. I kept waiting for him to smile but he didn’t. All in all he gives off the impression of being talented but disturbed, and after seeing him in concert I totally believe his lyrics.

That was day one. The next morning started at 9 a.m. with me picking up a fifteen-passenger van. I fully prepared myself for an all out balls-to-wall marathon day with the GAC Country Christmas Spectacular. I pulled up to the Tennessee Theatre to find four tour buses, a television crew and the biggest production I have ever seen. I wolfed down some breakfast in the catering room and proceeded to find the tour manager to report for duty. Right away I made two small runs and then waited in the AC Entertainment production office.

And basically I kept waiting for the next 12 hours. Sometimes that’s how it goes. On a huge production like that there are so many people working that locals like me are basically insurance. So my presence was very necessary because things can and usually do happen but I really only received one other actual run that day. I was never really bored, passing the time studying and listening to people tell stories about past tours, and I learned a lot about pop music and the magic of television. I was cut shortly after the show, returned my van to Enterprise, and headed home.
So that’s the basics of being a runner. Not as glamorous as some might think, but definitely an interesting way to make some extra holiday cash.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

America's sweet-tart

Following successful stints in widely respected clubs such as The Viper Room, The Derby and The Cat Club, bi-coastal rocker Ruby James makes a stop at the ever-hip World Grotto tonight, December 11th.

After developing her sound in Florida and California with various bands, Ruby James has now hit the road as a solo artist and is experiencing much success! She has been touted as one of the best female rock vocalists since Her Royal Rock Highness, Joan Jett. I don't think they're far from the truth, either. Like Jett, James's voice is clear yet tough, and demonstrates a surprising range. It's melodic but posesses enough grit to keep it from being too pretty for rock-n-roll. In her words, she's "a li'l bit sweet, a li'l bit sour."

Her appeal is broad, as her music shimmers with hints of soul and sexiness. In true rock tradition, her lyrics are the tales of everyday experiences and lessons. Nothing too high-brow, here, just some very catchy and enjoyable songs about stuff to which all of us can relate.

A seemingly charmed up-and-coming artist, Ruby James has already won admiration from bands for whom she's opened including Soul Asylum and 7Mary3. She must be doing something right, considering the credentials of her own band. Members have played with such notable musicians as Ozzy Osborne, Metallica, Steve Vai, Chick Corea and even Frank Zappa. Yowza! Based on that list, alone, I know where I'll be tonight!

Oh! And if Ruby James wasn't enough, she'll be joined by Knoxville's own sweet-tart Jenna and the Joneses. Between these two ladies, that's about as much sass a person can handle in one night!

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:43 AM | Permalink

December 8, 2006

Technical wardrobe malfunction

It must be the cold weather that's making our system freak out at the moment.
We're in the process of fixing our calendar issues as we speak...um...type.

Stay Tuned!
The 520 Gang

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:37 AM | Permalink

December 7, 2006

Good bar food: who knew?

As I strolled down Gay Street one Wednesday night with my fella, admiring the twinkly lights and hand-painted Christmas flags on every light pole, I reflected that I’ve never really enjoyed a meal at a bar before. I’m not bar food people. But alas, that’s exactly where I was headed for dinner: Sapphire, that hippest of hip downtown bars. Well, at least I’d have a good cocktail.

Entering Sapphire, we passed a group of friends dining al fresco and enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and the company of their very friendly dog. Once inside, we were quickly greeted by a pleasantly perky waitress who led us to the prime seating position in the front window. Totally private and ensconced in the seductively lit darkness, we commenced to perusing the menu.

First things first—cocktails. As it happened, we sat down before 7pm, which meant that it was happy hour. Yay! I ordered $3 champagne, and to my bargain-loving delight, received an upgrade to Domaine St. Michele Blanc de Blanc since the house champagne was out of stock. Our waitress supplied a bowl of crunchy wasabi peas, which had just the right amount of sinus-clearing bite.

Continue reading "Good bar food: who knew?" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Kelle's Jolly Boy Bunch

“FIRST THURSDAYS LIVE� at BECK CULTURAL CENTER

Knoxville’s best kept secret venue has to be the Knox County Public Library System. With opera previews, films, lectures, demonstrations, poetry readings, and live concerts, the Knox County Public Library provides a very unique setting for a wide variety of events.

The most unique library concert setting is “First Thursdays Live� at the newly renovated Beck Cultural Exchange Center located at 1927 Dandridge Avenue. Just blocks from downtown, Beck Cultural Exchange Center (Beck), founded in 1975, is home to a museum, library and exhibits relating to African-American history and culture, with a special emphasis on local history ~ and on the first Thursday of every month, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Beck is home to hot and smokin’ live jazz and rhythm & blues concerts! The atmosphere is intimate, comfortable and lively.

Last month’s performance with vocalist Sharon Mosby, accompanied by pianist Wendel Werner, Dave Slack and Terry Schmidt, was great fun as the vivacious Ms. Mosby explained to us about being “attitudinal,� and how to get our “rewind� on, while treating us to over 2 hours of old-school style jazz reminiscent of Carmen McRae, Joe Williams, and Jimmy Rushing, with little gospel touch Marion Williams-style.

On Thursday, December 7, Kelle’s Jolly Boy Bunch will be recording a live CD of soul/r&b/jazz covers and original material at Beck’s special monthly event. The band is comprised of Kelle Jolly on vocals and trumpet, Will Boyd on saxophone, Keith L. Brown on keyboard, Nolan Nevels on drums, Bob James on guitar and Glyn Loyd on bass. Michael Gill, music director for the Knoxville Museum of Art, has described Kelle Jolly as being “blessed with a silky voice and an infectious, energetic stage presence.� While a student at South Carolina State College, Ms. Jolly was inducted into the College’s Jazz Hall of Fame after being awarded Vocalist of the Year for four years consecutively. Kelle and the wildly talented Will Boyd, a member of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and a University of Tennessee graduate student, recently performed at the Muroran Jazz Cruise and with the Japanese Sapporo Jazz School students in front of a Japanese audience of over 2000. At the upcoming Beck concert, Will Boyd will also be singing a duet with Ms. Jolly. Kelle’s Jolly Boy Bunch wants “to define the musical sound coming out of Knoxville today.� In addition to their Beck performance, you might find Kelle sitting at Cha Cha’s with Donald Brown, or you might find the band at the newly reopened 4620 club.

Admission to “First Thursdays Live� is $7 for Beck Members and $9 for non-members. Admission includes entrance to the museum and the show. Catering and refreshments are available and parking is free. This is a smoke-free venue, although the musicians are hot!

If enjoy live jazz and rhythm and blues, and you have never visited the historic Beck Cultural Exchange Center, “First Thursdays Live� is an excellent opportunity to experience this wonderful museum and exceptional music venue. Also, if you still mourn the loss of the long defunct jazz club “Lucille’s�, then you need to attend “First Thursday Live� at Beck. You are bound to recognize some familiar faces in the audience and you will be delighted with the quality of the music and the friendly atmosphere. Or, if you are looking for something different to do, at an early hour, mark your calendar for the first Thursday of every month and you will be “in� on one of Knoxville’s best kept musical secrets! You dig?

Beck Cultural Exchange Center
1927 Dandridge Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37915
Phone: (865) 524-8461
Regular Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
“First Thursday Live� hours 6 pm -8:30 pm
Mr. Avon W. Rollins, Executive Director

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 4, 2006

Weekly album review

We're proud to announce a new feature on 520 - the weekly album review!

This added service of ours will be brought to you on a regular basis by the music gurus over there at Disc Exchange. Be sure to pay a visit to their website for more of their infinite wisdom.

Okonokos - My Morning Jacket

Usually a live album either sinks or soars in my book. Some artists surpass the brilliance contained in their albums with live shows, feeding heavily off of the crowd's energy and come up with something that leaves the studio albums in the dust. In other cases, musicians try and put too much into their studio releases, making it virtually impossible to recreate these songs live, thus live recordings come across as lacking and usually find their way back into the used CD bins. My Morning Jacket's newest release, Okonokos, is thankfully not one of these releases.

My first impression was "they are never going to be able to capture whatever it is they do live with this album." I was sorely mistaken. As the tracks progressed through this two-disc adventure, I found myself not able to keep my mind on anything else but the music, the same feat that happens every time I see MMJ live. It is almost like a trance in which Jim James and his merry Louisvillians grab a hold and weave their gothic, Southern tales with the magic that only they could do. James' voice rings out of a pallet of layered musical intensity witch makes you want to throw up horns and head-bang along with the band at one moment and curl up into a ball and weep the very next. This can be attributed at the root to Jim James and his phenomenal songwriting ability. But it's more than that really. The way in which he uses his voice more as a complementary instrument than a tool to hammer the lyrics into your brain is extraordinary, thus making the songs even more beautiful and mysterious.

Recorded at the famous Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, this live album covers mostly songs from the latest MMJ studio album, Z, but also visits other favorites from the vault including "Xmas Curtain", "I Will Sing You Songs", and the epic, "One Big Holiday." This release definitely has "Top 10" potential for 2006 and is definitely one of the best live albums I own. The great thing is they are just getting started and beginning to get the respect that they deserve. This makes the future look so much brighter.------Andrew Bryant

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:10 PM | Permalink

Cherish the Ladies

A Grammy winner, a member of Who's Who Among American Music Teachers and an OBIE Award winner. These are some pretty heavy-hitting credentials held by members of the reknowned Irish music ensemble, Cherish The Ladies - making a special holiday appearance at the Bijou Theatre on Dec. 6th at 8pm.

This enchanting all-woman group displays "an astonishing array of virtuosity", according to the Washington Post. Each member contributes many different elements to their performances. Their varied talents and superior musicianship has made them one of the most sought-after Irish music groups in the world!

The ensemble formed following a concert series that was intended to feature the up-and-coming stars on the Irish-American music scene. The chemistry was so strong between the participants that they decided to make music together on a regular basis. Combining the already legendary talents of the individual players & singers with the elements of traditional Irish dance and a bit of storytelling, Cherish The Ladies (whose name actually comes from an old Irish dance) has created a performance experience unlike any other.

Continue reading "Cherish the Ladies" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:55 AM | Permalink

Bond. Naked Bond.

Welcome to the brand-new 520 blog, The Monday After. This blog will be our attempt to blast through our Monday morning hangovers to offer up quickie reviews of all the things we’re pretty sure we got into this past weekend, including concerts, movies, plays, and restaurants. Pop a couple of ibuprofens and enjoy.

Continue reading "Bond. Naked Bond." »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 10:17 AM | Permalink

November 30, 2006

Front Porch Soul

Front porches evoke lots of images. They're places for gathering, cooling off in the shade, welcoming guests, chatting with loved ones from day into night.

They're also a uniquely American tradition. I recall a piece that aired on NPR this summer about what front porches mean to different people in various parts of the US. One of the main similarities mentioned was the element of storytelling. Ghost stories, family histories, neighborhood gossip - you name it - are shared on the front porch. In fact, I have a friend who refers to the regular tell-alls at her house as "Porch Vegas". As in, "what's said on the porch, stays on the porch".

Jacksonville band, Mofro, has been appropriately described as "front porch soul". The two mainstays of the group, JJ Grey and Daryl Hance, have been playing together for over 15 years. During that time, they have developed a songwriting style that incorporates many of the elements of storytelling. Their songs evoke images of Florida sun, hard work, late nights and learned lessons.

All of this wisdom is wrapped in the warm sounds of stripped down Southern soul. Blues-tinged guitar riffs and funky rhythms only exist to create a perfect frame for the colorful imagery of Mofro's lyrics.

The group makes a stop in Knoxville tonight to promote their most recent album, Lochaloosa. In an era where true musicianship and genuine artistry seem to elude most performers, Mofro's show at the Bijou will be a refreshing 2 hours for Knoxvillians. Go!

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:02 PM | Permalink

November 27, 2006

Christmas music junkie

My addiction to Christmas music has become legendary - at least among my friends and family.

I don't know exactly what it is about the holiday that makes me long for its music at the first sign of winter. Pretty much as soon as the clouds begin to hang lower in the sky and there's a even the slightest chill in the air, I'm ready to get Christmas going. Over the years, various roommates, friends and boyfriends have had to keep tight reins on the CD player up through Thanksgiving to keep me from wearing out the holiday before it's even begun.

This year, though, writing this article gave me a legit reason to break out the Bing and Burl a bit early, and share my all-time favorite holiday sounds. It's an eclectic mix, so there's bound to be something on the list for everyone.

Oh, and I checked with Disc Exchange and they've got a whole bunch of these on-hand, so hurry on over there now and you can fa-la-la all the way home!

Alright...here's the list (in no particular order):

Continue reading "Christmas music junkie" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Get Your Midweek Fix With Bellfield

Local band on the rise comes back to Blue Cats this Wednesday

Who: Bellfield w/ Brandy Robinson and Summit Hill
Where: Blue Cat's
When: Wednesday Nov. 29, Doors at 8:00 p.m.

As I stepped out of my car I had a moment of hesitation. “What was that address again?� I reached into my pocket for a recycled handbill, but the question was answered for me. The sound of a full band exploded out of one the houses on a residential north Knoxville road. I proceeded up the steps with intentions of listening by the door when it suddenly swung open. I passed through and started setting up my laptop. There was a slight acknowledgement of my presence, but nothing could shake the vibe coming out of this living room turned practice space. The song continued on taking some intricate turns with precise guitar lines and melodic vocal interjections. All five of the musicians seemed blissfully high on their collective sound. The song ended, the guys grinned. They all came over to introduce themselves and so concluded my introduction with one of our cities most up and coming bands, Bellfield.

I had seen them once before earlier this year at our downtown cancer benefit for Latih Keilany. There was a lot of great music that night from various bands but Bellfield left an impression. They had the one thing necessary to grab new listeners: Energy. Their music, which they describe as “acoustic rock with electric guitars�, is a well balanced mix of dramatic dynamic shifting instrumental sections and thoughtful lyrics. Rob Morrow (guitar/vocals) and Van Gallik (guitar/vocals) take principle song writing duties while Alex Bayless (bass/vocals), Chad Fifer (drums), and Jed Eaton (percussion) provide for a rock solid rhythm section.

Continue reading "Get Your Midweek Fix With Bellfield" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:13 AM | Permalink

November 23, 2006

A music lover's torture

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, 520 put a challenge to its writers in the form of a task: choose the song, artist, band or musical venue for which your most thankful.

It seemed so simple, at first. But as it turns out, this basically amounts to cruel and unusual punishment for a bunch of music fanatics. They rose to the challenge, though. Below you'll find the well considered results of their soul-searching.

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Greg Wood:

Although my initial reaction was to say I’m thankful for Nirvana or Radiohead (both of which I am incredibly thankful for), I realize I’m most thankful for Neil Young. After all, he greatly influenced both Nirvana and Radiohead.

Neil’s music is down to earth, so much so that he often doesn’t bother to tune his guitar before recording. Sometimes, he gets so into the song he doesn’t even care if his voice is slightly (or sometimes majorly) off key. Also, there is some Neil for everyone and for every mood—he’s done country, he’s done rock, he’s often seen as one of the creators of grunge, he’s done rockabilly (albeit awfully, but still) and he’s done techno. We love Neil for his diversity in his sound, but the overwhelming passion and sincerity shines through so frequently. There’s never a bad or wrong time to listen to Neil Young.
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Debra Dylan:

WDVX: for their dedication to great music and for the Blue Plate Special, in particular: Greg Garing's Music City Circus, Mad Tea Party, David Onley, All Star Refugees of Sierra Leone, & Asylum Street Spankers. These shows had a huge impact on me.

Jobe Blues Band: Diane Jobe and Robert Higgenbothom were the first local musicians I met during my happy transition from Seperated to Divorced. I admire Diane's energy, passion and talent. When I'm feeling down, Jobe's shows are a necessary tonic. Just "Push on Through."

Phil Pollard & his Band of Humans: I was startled the first time I saw the Humans. I swore I never wanted to see that freak and his xylophone again. Now I can't get enough of them! I'm thankful for their talent, ingenuity, humor and love of literature. You guys are rocking fantastic.

The Bearded: For keeping it real and for being so delightful.

Vanilla Junket: Thanks for the Zappa, the Rolling Stones' "Monkey Man", and most importantly, for the Ziggy Stardust. And thanks for not freaking out when I stand in front of the band and sing along while sometimes engaging in tai chi.

Christabel & the Jons: Thank you for your glorious vintage sound and style. I've had a blast with you at Preservation Pub, Oodles, and especially the Barley's shows.

Natti Love Joys: I'm thankful for your beautiful happy music and your message of peace. Your shows always make me happy.

Cutthroat Shamrock: Thanks for the euphoric vibes and the catharsis!

The LoneTones: Your sweet peaceful music feeds my soul.

Sara Schwabe & her Yankee Jass Band: Thank you for your sense of fun, your excellent song selections, the band's chemistry and talent, for spelling jazz in its original form, and for your friendship.
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Dustin Milotte:

This Year I am thankful for Umphrey’s Mcgee. Last Friday I witnessed my 30th (give or take) performance from the Chicago six-piece. For the past four years their sound has been organic Adderall to my musical psyche. So many fond yet hazy moments to ponder, my favorite has to be either New Year’s in Chicago 2003 or late night at Bonnaroo 2004. Be on the lookout for them at the Bijou this spring.
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Joe Beuerlein:

A tricky 520 request, this thank-themed blog just in time for Turkey Day. Which song/record/band that I am thankful for would I like to publicly praise? I feel like I'm around the dining room table, being forced to drum up a lie like "well, I'm thankful for my older brother and sister because they are really nice and sometimes let me play their video games" in order to satisfy Dad enough to start carving the bird. I don't know what the bird represents in this metaphor, but I'm at a table with a lot of bloggers much more musically-inclined than I am, so I will cheat at this request in order to save my dignity.

I am thankful, therefore, for the "band" of comedic film actors responsible for my favorite comedy of all-time, Waiting for Guffman. This Christoper Guest-led troupe of improv genuises has expertly lampooned community theatre ( Guffman), folk music (A Mighty Wind), and even dog shows (Best of Show), and is back in the movie theatres right now in For Your Consideration, a send-up of Hollywood's obsession with itself. (No kidding, go to Downtown West, it's there.) Each new release by these all-star comedians ~Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Harry Shearer, Parker Posey, to name a few~ reminds me that I am not alone in my quirky sense of humor, and that it's possible to make a living being absolutely ridiculous. For that, I am thankful.
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Bluegill:

I’m very thankful that the Knoxville music scene is a veritable cornucopia of marvelous musicians, bands and concerts. Trying to pick just one from this bounty of almost every conceivable genre is an intimidating task, but I’ll got with my first mind and lift my glass to R. B. Morris, who could be in Nashville or Austin or Paris (that other one that’s not in Texas or Tennessee), but he chooses to live right here in Knoxville. I’ve got all his CDs and even his first cassette, “Local Man�, and I love them all. Seeing him in concert, whether solo, as a duo with guitarist Hector Qirko, or with his whole band, is always a journey through a gamut of emotions, which culminate as a soul-satisfying, uplifting experience. Thanks, R. B., for all your songs and poems and music and more. And thanks for being who you are, a Knoxville native son to be proud of.
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Sara Schwabe:

This is like the Sophie's Choice of the music world, right? If I am forced to select just one of my favorite musical entities for which to be the most thankful, will the others be dead to me? (ok...so that's a tad dramatic.)

I've given this much thought over the past few days. I've spanned centuries and run the gamut between my favorites like Anton Bruckner and Tom Waits. I finally (and happily) settled on jazz legends Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. My grandfather had me listen to Everybody's Boppin' when I was about 12 years old and I've loved them ever since. Annie Ross' vocal range and sass made me want to sing - still does. Jon Hendricks' nimble solos made me want to scat - still do. I don't know of another jazz group in the history of history that had more fun making music. They're still an inspiration to me and for that I'll always be thankful for Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.
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brent thompson:

Dear World Thankers-

On this day of intoxication with family, minimized communication between friends via text message, and overabundant indulgence I would like to express my thanks for my roots. So many great musicians have penned moving songs that have given me chills in my life that it is hard to pick just one, so I'll pick a collection. Today I am most thankful that my Dad introduced me to Paul and Art. The music they made was introspective, political, whimsical, and beautiful. While there are several releases that I could choose from I am thanking the boys for cranking out the, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" album. This album filled me with moxie when I was five and still does today. Of course the title track I still regard as one of the greatest songs ever written. It is about friendship and it's most poignant purpose; "being there for someone". You've said it...I've said it...and we mean it. My sister and I grew up harmonizing every note in these songs like, "The Boxer", "Cecilia", "Keep the Customer Satisfied", one of my faves is "Frank Lloyd Wright", and "Song For the Asking". If you don't have this in your collection I implore you good music lovers to acquire very soon. You could download it, but at least look for the vinyl. Check out the library and give it a listen. Two voices in the name of peace and love. If you do have it pull it out and listen today. Give thanks for harmony. I do.
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520 is grateful for its dedicated and brilliant staff of writers and contributors. We're thankful for Knoxville's vibrant entertainment scene. We're also thankful for good folks, like yourself, who read our site on a regular basis! Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Joanna Newsom experience

I am surprised that Joanna Newsom came to Knoxville.

I’ve been obsessed with her music for well over a year now and was shocked when I picked up the paper and saw that she would be playing at Blue Cats. Shocked for two reasons: one, why would she come to a small city like Knoxville? And two, because quiet, beautiful harp music is not something that Blue Cats tends to offer most.

Regardless, I wasn’t going to miss it for the world, and it turned out to be even better than I could’ve even imagined.

Joanna Newsom is known for playing intricate harp parts and singing in a high-pitched, pixie-like voice over them. Her songs don’t usually follow a verse-chorus or verse-chorus-bridge progression. Some songs off of her first full-length album, The Milk-Eyed Mender, have one or two lines or “riffs� (if you will) that serve as the “chorus� that are repeated at seemingly random intervals throughout a five-minute piece. It’s something that takes getting used to, but eventually these small portions of the song make the piece worth listening to in its entirety.

Recently, she released a new album, entitled Ys (pronounced “ees,� apparently), which is drastically different from Milk-Eyed Mender. Her voice is more powerful—she can belt harder than before and she can cause higher-pitched squeaks. She has backup instruments, which sound like a full orchestra on the studio recording (but are far from it during live performances). The songs are longer (the shortest being around 7 minutes, and the longest being 16) and there are only five tracks on the album. Maybe Joanna has been listening to a lot of Pink Floyd recently, as the layout of this album resembles golden-era Pink Floyd.

The Floyd-influence theory is mostly a joke, but after seeing her live, it doesn’t seem a joke at all.

Joanna started the show with two songs from Milk-Eyed Mender (“Bridges and Balloons� first and “The Book of Right-On� second). I’m incredibly familiar with these songs, and was blown away to finally get to see her play the harp and sing along to them in person. She plucks away gracefully, and at times even elaborates upon the harp parts. I’ve never seen anyone jam on a harp before. She almost turns it into a rock instrument.

After a third song (an “old Scottish tune�) a full band consisting of five people came out on stage and went to their instruments which were placed in a circle around Joanna. She told the crowd “now we’re going to play the new album.� Somehow, I really didn’t think she meant they were going to play the entire thing.

I was wrong. It took me through the first song and part of the second to realize that they were going to play the new album in its entirety, from start to finish, a la Pink Floyd.

I’ve always felt that albums should be a cohesive unit and shouldn’t just be a collection of songs. I’ve only seen one band ever play an album in its entirety (Primus playing Sailing the Seas of Cheese) but it’s something more bands should do, and I couldn’t have been happier that Joanna chose to.

Joanna was backed by a guitar, a banjo, a glockenspiel, a drum set (consisting of only a bass drum and two ride symbols), and an accordion. Other instruments, such as a musical saw and some instrument that I didn’t even recognize (which seemed to be like a lower-pitched mandolin) occasionally came into the mix as well.

Continue reading "The Joanna Newsom experience" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:18 AM | Permalink

November 21, 2006

Holy Bill Cosby at the Tennessee, Batman!

This just in...

Bill Cosby performs at second annual Tennessee Theatre fundraiser
Tickets on sale Friday, December 1, at 10 a.m.

What: Stars on Stage 2007 with Bill Cosby
When: Sunday, January 14, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Where: Tennessee Theatre

Regal Entertainment Group presents Stars on Stage 2007, a fundraiser for the historic Tennessee Theatre presenting American icon and legendary comedian Bill Cosby performing Sunday, January 14 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre.

Comedian, television star and bestselling author Bill Cosby ranks among the most influential entertainers in America today. His popularity began in 1963 with his debut comedy record, Bill Cosby Is a Very Funny Fellow…Right!, which contained endearing stories of childhood inspired by his youth. Cosby went on to create and star in The Cosby Show, serve as the spokesman for Jell-O pudding, write several children's books, and receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His performances are enjoyable for the whole family.

Building on the success of last year’s unforgettable evening featuring Tony Bennett, Stars on Stage is the largest annual fundraising event for the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation and is second only to ticket sales in the revenue it generates for theater operations.

Premium ticket packages are available during a password-protected pre-sale through November 30 via the Tennessee Theatre box office. These deluxe packages are: $250, includes a tax-deductible donation, priority advanced seating and a VIP cocktail reception at the East Tennessee History Museum; and $125, which includes a tax-deductible donation and advanced seating.

These premium packages will be available to the general public beginning Friday, December 1, at 10 a.m., as well as additional tickets for $35, $45, and $62.50, plus applicable service fees, via the Tennessee Theatre box office, at all Tickets Unlimited outlets, by phone at (865) 656-4444 or online at www.tennesseetheatre.com.

For additional information, contact Paige Travis at A.C. Entertainment, 865-523-2665.

Posted by the 520 gang at 9:50 AM | Permalink

November 20, 2006

Love & Circumstances

Christabel & the Jons will be performing a live show and hosting their CD release party this Tuesday at noon, at WDVX’s Blue Plate Special. Love & Circumstances, their much anticipated studio release, recorded at Ottofish Studios in Johnson City, is pure joy from start to finish.

I’ve been intrigued with Christabel & the Jons since I first saw them at Downtown Grill & Brewery in January of this year. They were a trio back then with Christa DeCicco (“Christabel�) on vocals and guitar, Jon Whitlock on drums, percussion and back up vocals, and Jon Steele on upright bass (hence “the Jons�).

At the sound of her unique voice singing, Tennessee Ernie Ford’s “Sixteen Tons,� I quit my jawing and looked up from by beer. This is how my love affair with the band began. Not sure if this was a fluke, or the effect of the beer, soon thereafter, I caught Christa DeCicco’s solo performance on a WDVX Blue Plate Special, and my first impressions were correct: her voice and original songs are amazing.

Now, Christabel & the Jons are a swinging quartet with Christa DeCicco and Jon Whitlock joined by Mischa Goldman on upright bass and Seth Hopper on violin, mandolin, trumpet and bandoneon. (Special guests Tom Pryor on pedal steel guitar, Valerie Sanders on flute and clarinet and local big band The Streamliners also appear on Love & Circumstances.)

One of the reasons I keep returning to their shows is because of Ms. DeCicco’s captivating voice. The modulation of her pristine vocals and her phrasing fascinate. Even her humming is enchanting. A natural born performer, her gracious stage presence is also a draw. The band’s vintage wardrobe also contributes to the atmosphere of their “speak-easy,� jazzy folk-infused music.

The band’s swinging renditions of not often heard cover songs, plus DeCicco’s original material, also merits repeat visits. At any show, you may be treated to the band’s unique take on songs by Bob Dylan, George Gershwin, or Marvin Gaye. Of special note is the band’s somber and plaintive cover of The Police’s “Roxanne.� As their audience has grown, so have the requests for Christa’s original work. Love & Circumstances contains eleven original songs and a barn burning cover of Louis Armstrong’s “St. James Infirmary.�

The CD kicks off with the lively “It’s Love� where memories of a teenage romance (and comfort food) are fondly recalled. “Best Kind of Friend� is another upbeat and fun reminiscence of a past love whose friendship is cherished. Here, Mischa Goldman playfully punctuates on bass while Jon Whitlock chimes in on sleigh bells. The beautiful “Sweetheart� contains interesting musical changes as it slinks along during the verses and then suddenly changes into a hip and catchy refrain. Mischa and Seth swing sweetly on this love song about a former beau’s return to town.

The only dark moment on the CD is the brooding and dramatic “You Go to My Head.� Harper’s violin is mournful and Goldman’s bass is ominous. This mysterious story builds in tension as DeCicco’s vocals and Whitlock’s drumming become more forceful.

Continue reading "Love & Circumstances" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:15 PM | Permalink

November 17, 2006

Holidays at the Gem

We just received this press release about the new holiday specials at Sapphire. It sounded too good to keep to ourselves:

Wine Tasting
The holidays are upon us and Sapphire is full of activity and
excitement. So much so that, we’ll be suspending the November and December wine
tasting dinners, resuming Tuesday, January 16, where we’ll taste
several varietals. Mark your calendars now. For more information or to
RSVP, please email winetasting@sapphire-knoxville.com

Private Parties
Sunday, December 3rd and 10th are available for your private holiday
party at Sapphire. For more details booking your personal, business, or
organization’s holiday party, please email Mark at
mark@sapphire-knoxville.com

New Year's Eve
Ring in the New Year with Sapphire where there is never a cover and you
can count on a memorable evening. A prix fix dinner will be served for
$50 per person or $75 including wine pairings. Seating will be at 6
and 9 pm. Space is limited - please call 637-8181 or email
manager@sapphire-knoxville.com for reservations. Sapphire's DJ will
keep us in the spirit from 11 pm until 3 am. Try one of 10 sparkling wines
and champagne available by the glass to toast the New Year.

Holiday Drink List
Sapphire’s holiday specialty drink list is not to be missed. Pumpkin
Spice, Apple Pie and Candy Cane Martinis; Spiked Eggnog and Cider;
Traditional Hot Buttered Rum, Merry Mojito, Ginger Fizz, and Caramel
Original. If this doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit, nothing will.

New Menu
What better time to join us at Sapphire for dinner? With offerings such
as Basil Scallops, DiSarrano Tortellini and Vanilla Bean Truffles on
the new menu, you wont leave disappointed. Please call for reservations
at 637-8181.

For more drink specials, follow this link.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:48 AM | Permalink

November 16, 2006

Lonetones shine on new CD

Phil Pollard, Steph Gunnoe, Sean McCollough & Maria Williams

I am grateful for whatever divine force brought Steph Gunnoe and Sean McCollough together. In addition to their marriage and family, their union has also spawned incredibly beautiful original Americana music. Sean’s friendship with drummer/percussionist Phil Pollard eventually lured Pollard to the band, and Pollard’s friendship with his neighbor Maria Williams added her angelic backup vocals and an upright bass to round out this gifted quartet.

On Friday, November 17, The Lonetones will be celebrating their much anticipated, long awaited release of their new CD, “Nature Hatin’ Blues". Their CD release party will be held at Carpe Librum Booksellers from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

This follow up to their wonderful debut CD, “Useful,� which included the popular single “Little Thing,� finds the band in a more contemplative mood on “Nature Hatin’ Blues.� “Useful� was dominated by plucky love songs and the living was easy (except when being bathed by mama). Their new CD is “dedicated to hometowns and misfits everywhere. To mountains and people who fight to save them. To the soil we grew up in….� Sean says he and Steph did not plan to write a themed album about internal struggles, “it just turned out that way.� While “Nature Hatin’ Blues� explores several thorny topics, the songwriting is striking and their delivery is, as always, very moving and very engaging.

Continue reading "Lonetones shine on new CD" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:22 PM | Permalink

Fringe Benefits

The Fringe Festival at the Black Box Theatre

Fringe festivals have been a theatre tradition since the late 1940s. Fringe festivals typically offer a variety of alternative entertainment, with shows involving smaller casts, sparse sets, single-act performances and lower ticket prices. Knoxville’s Actors Co-op will be hosting its third Fringe Festival at the Black Box Theatre on November 16 thru November 18. The festival will include theatre, dance and music. Admission to each show is $5.00. The schedule includes:

Thursday, November 16

7:00 p.m. Chanticleer and the Fox will be presented by Interact Theatre for the Deaf. This one hour play, adapted by Joseph Robinette from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, revolves around Chanticleer, an arrogant rooster, who is easily fooled by a cunning fox. The play promises to be pure entertainment for children young and old and will be performed in spoken English and American Sign Language.

Continue reading "Fringe Benefits" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:38 PM | Permalink

"Aida" soars into Knoxville

The classic tale of Aida marches triumphantly into Knoxville Nov. 17 for five performances.

This is not Giuseppe Verdi's 1871 Italian opera masterpiece, but the 2000 Tony Award-winner by Elton John and Tim Rice. The plot is still the same, though:

Aida, an Ethiopian princess, is captured and brought into slavery in Egypt. A military commander, Radames, struggles to choose between his love for her and his loyalty to the Pharaoh. To complicate the story further, Radames is loved by the Pharaoh's daughter Amneris, although he does not return the feeling.

Not your typical lighthearted musical theatre fare, for sure!

The large audiences that flocked to see Aida during its 4-year Broadway run, as well as its touring productions, prove that folks seem to prefer their dark, heavy, historic plots be served with a spoonful of Disney sugar.

Part of what makes the Disney adaptation so accessible is the use of a variety of music styles to tell the legendary tale. Elton John and Tim Rice drew on traditional African music, Motown, reggae, gospel and pop influences to create the libretto for Aida. Because of the creative way he combined these varying elements, Elton John won the Tony Award in 2000 for Best Original Musical Score. He also received the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Here's a little sound sample of what you'll hear at this weekend's production:

Elaborate Lives

Every Story

Fortune Favors

Do yourself a favor this weekend: grab the family, head down to the Civic Auditorium and enjoy the beautiful sights and gorgeous sounds of one of Broadway's best - right here at home. Tickets for Aida are still available by visiting the Broadway in Knoxville website.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:08 PM | Permalink

November 13, 2006

Don't hurt me

As any disciple of the grunge era would, I was ecstatic to hear that legendary metal-grungers The Melvins were playing in Knoxville at Blue Cats.

Of course, I originally heard the show was $6 and it turned out to cost $15, but I really needed to see the band.

You could say part of me wanted to see them for the novelty of it. A friend of mine always said that seeing older, classic bands is like going to a history museum. “There’s the Rolling Stones exhibit!� he would say, jokingly acting as if he were pointing to a stage that has the Stones rocking-out on it. These legendary acts we don’t see for their talent or their ability to maintain their youthful attitude. We don’t expect to be blown away. We see it to say we have. Like Ruby Falls.

Early in the evening, The Melvins had already taken the stage, even though there were three acts on the bill. It was hard to tell which band was playing when a lot of the time, because they’re mostly permutations of each other. They’d come out during each other’s sets and pick up random instruments. They follow Queens of the Stone Age in this regard—another metal band known for their collaborations.

Buzz Osbourne (or King Buzzo, as fans call him) took this opportunity to inform the crowd of the show they were going to witness, talk a little bit about his past and the band’s past (“I was quarterback of the football team. It was a small school�) and play the same three chords over and over in between his comedic ramblings. They played a brief jam, and Buzzo told the crowd to expect surprises and collaborations for the rest of the evening.

Continue reading "Don't hurt me" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:14 PM | Permalink

We are what we are

DIVE BARS: 101

The Knoxville520.com webmisstress had a great idea for a story about dive bars. I quickly and enthusiastically volunteered to research dive bars in East and North Knoxville. I even consulted with construction dude about town and Preservation Pub Beer God, Paul Voght (a/k/a Big Paul, Paul Bunyan). He suggested particular bars and advised me on how to behave. The last time I saw Paul, he said, “Debra, you’ll need to dress down when you do this, or they’ll think you’re a narc.� Of course, I disregarded everything he told me.

Due to illness and injury, my research was delayed by several weeks, so one night after a business meeting adjourned early I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to stop at Hugh’s Tavern, which is approximately one block from the Corner Lounge, on N. Central. There is parking available behind Hugh’s and entering through the back door will give you an incredible view of what a dive the place is. Lots of abandoned kitchen appliances, cans of food, bags of chips, old stuffed animals, a Red Skelton photo, NASCAR stuff, and many unidentifiable objects and odors. When I reached the bar, one patron shouted, “It’s a lawyer and she’s shutting the place down.� (Note to self: don’t wear a suit to a dive bar. See quote above.) Once I was finally able to settle on a beer selection (They don’t have PBR. I’ve since been told that only kitschy bars pretending to be dives serve PBR.), I was asked to join a table of folks sitting in a booth in front of Hugh’s window.

Continue reading "We are what we are" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:31 PM | Permalink

The Morning After

I was up until the wee hours of the morning worrying about it.

Watching television didn’t help put my mind at ease. Neither did refreshing my browser like someone obsessive-compulsive. I just couldn’t stop thinking about it. What would be the consequences of my actions? I felt dirty. I felt used.

It had happened so fast. I was in and out in a moment, and when I was done I wasn’t even confident I had done it right. Sure, that little flag waved at me enthusiastically, but it was little reassurance. I had at least wanted a thank you and a receipt. I got neither.

Continue reading "The Morning After" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 11:14 AM | Permalink

November 9, 2006

My Morning Jacket

Louisville rockers My Morning Jacket bring their dreamy, soulful jams to the Tennessee Theatre this Friday, Nov. 10th at 8pm.

This group of talented musicians is on its way across the country promoting their epic, live concert album, Okonokos. While they experienced much success and radio-play with their last studio album, Z, this latest live endeavor allows the individual's talents to shine in ways that studio recordings can't. There are certain band that are meant to be heard live - that suffer from the restrictions of trying to make a perfect recording. My Morning Jacket is definitely one of those bands! Their music is filled with intricate melodies. It's clear that each of the members is truly listening to the others at every moment of the performance. Jim James, with his Neil Young-type vocals, is adeptly supported by lyrical - though driving - percussion & guitar riffs. Each element of My Morning Jacket's music, if heard separately, could stand beautifully on its own. All together, the result is a vast blanket of interwoven sounds that soothe and energize at the same time. Okonokos captured the band's confident musicianship as well as its spontaneity. (For a taste of what you'll get live, check out their Bonnaroo set here!)

The group has not always been so sure of itself, however.

Continue reading "My Morning Jacket" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:56 PM | Permalink

The KMA gets jiggy this Friday!

THE KNOXVILLE MUSEUM OF ART’S ALIVE AFTER FIVE SERIES

This Friday, The Knoxville Museum of Art’s (KMA) Alive After Five double-bill with Sara Schwabe and her Yankee Jass Band and Phil Pollard and his Band of Humans will likely be the most interesting and entertaining show in this venue’s 2006 series. (Ethics disclaimer: 520 webmistress, Sara Schwabe, took no part in the writing of this piece.)

Sultry alto vocalist Sara Schwabe, expertly accompanied by Dr. Geol Greenlee on keys, Chris Zuhr on upright bass, and Phil Pollard on drums, performs an impressive array of traditional and eclectic jazz, cabaret, show tunes, and popular music. It’s not unusual to hear “Mambo Italiano,� “Puttin’ on the Ritz,� “Centerpiece,� “Fever,� the Beatles’ “Michelle,� and Tom Waits’ “New Coat of Paint� during one set. The band might even launch into “If I Were a Rich Man� from Fiddler on the Roof. The extensive and enjoyable variety of music is engaging. The KMA’s Michael Gill describes Sara Schwabe as “glamorously talented.� She also looks glamorous, and her smoky, rich vocals will keep you intrigued and will leave you wanting more. On November 18, the band will be recording a live CD at the Black Box Theatre at 9:30 p.m. You can also frequently “taste the band� on Wednesday nights at Sapphire on Gay Street or on Saturday nights at Oodles’ wine bar on Market Square.

Sharing the bill with Sara Schwabe and her Yankee Jass Band is Phil Pollard and his Band of Humans. Phil Pollard, who has a Master’s Degree in Great Books from St. John’s College and teaches English composition at Roane State, has described his band’s music as “Lit Rock.� In April, the Humans participated in the public library’s celebration of poetry month, by performing original songs about Cormack McCarthy’s “Sutree� and “Sylvia Plath�. It’s also not unusual for the band to incorporate into their music phrases from Ernest Hemmingway, Alfred Tennyson or Confucius. What definitely is unusual is hearing Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg’s Address� set to music. And the beauty part is? All of Humans’ music is danceable and their joyful and complex harmonics (ranging from rock, jazz, Latin) are perfectly executed by many of the area’s finest musicians, including: Phil Pollard (vibraphone, flexatone); Matt Moorelock (tympani, banjo ukulele), Kyle Campbell (trumpet, baritone, didgeridoo); Rachel Parton (flute); Dave Nichols (trombone, shofar); Chris Zuhr (electric guitar); Robert Richards (electric bass); Jon Whitlock (drum kit); and Dr. Geol Greenlee (keys, accordion). Pollard promises Friday’s show at the KMA will be “aesthetically pleasing music for your arty ears.� They will definitely keep your mind, body and spirit wonderfully occupied.

Also, earlier this year, the Humans were a surprise hit during their first performance at the annual Bonnaroo music festival. As some new fans enthusiastically reported, “[I] did a double take when I saw the lead instruments in the band…were vibes and tympani,� “the room comes alive with you,� and “you guys tickle my insides.� While the Humans’ music style is different from, say, Spike Jones and his City Slickers, the Humans are every bit as skilled, talented and creative as Jones and his band were during their live performances in the 1940s and 1950s.

The Humans are also kid-friendly, frequently appearing in themed costumes or silly hats. Families who attended the recent “Movies on the Square� showing of October Sky were delighted by the band’s pre-film performance and their original soundtrack accompaniment to the classic silent film “A Trip to the Moon.�

Please do not miss this amazing double-bill!

Knoxville Museum of Art
1050 World’s Fair Park
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
$8 non-KMA members
$4 KMA members
Free parking
Cash bar and concessions available

Posted by the 520 gang at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 6, 2006

A modern-day Troubadour

The original Troubadours wandered around Europe during the 11th century using music to spread news and share stories. Not only were they the first singer/songwriters, but they were also highly regarded and served an important purpose in society. As they wandered from one town to the next, the Troubadours made it possible for different groups of people to relate to eachother. Because they often sang about the experiences of the common man, their music helped spread a sense of brotherhood.

There are many artists today who have carried out this age-old tradition, but three time Grammy winner Kris Kristofferson is the embodiment of a modern-day Troubadour.

Continue reading "A modern-day Troubadour" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:00 PM | Permalink

So you think you've got skills?

Every Tuesday night at 7pm, between now and Dec 13th, the World Grotto on Market Square will be hosting a real-live talent search. The event has actually been going on for a few weeks, already, but now participants are setting their sights on the semi-finals and the grand finale.

Continue reading "So you think you've got skills?" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:17 PM | Permalink

November 2, 2006

Rent is due in Knoxville

The musical phenomenon Rent is a little bit like Cats: it's great and we'll see it again and again and again. Pretty much everyone knows the story by now, so I won't spend much time explaining it.

Rent is now in its 11th year on Broadway. It has toured the world umpteen times and is on its way to Knoxville next week, Nov 6 & 7. With only a two-day stop, the Civic Auditorium is sure to be packed, so get your tickets now at Broadway in Knoxville's website. The initial shock of the show's gritty content has worn off a bit over the years, but this story of socially-conscious friends desperate to make their NYC rent remains compelling. This got me thinking...we all have our own memories of lean times and creative ways we made ends meet. Here's mine:

Continue reading "Rent is due in Knoxville" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Girls for sale - Markert on the Market

On the First Friday of every month, Market Square clothier Vagabondia, in the charming yellow building next door to Subway sandwich shop, has joined with other Market Square District Association members and merchants in hosting a variety of trunk shows and art-related events. Vagabondia specializes in beautiful natural fiber clothing, enchanting hats, jewelry and other accessories. Vagabondia proprietress, Andie Ray, reports she typically invites local jewelry and/or accessories designers to her store during downtown’s popular and festive First Friday affairs, but on Friday, November 3rd, she is “particularly tickled to have my good friend, local artist, Cynthia Markert, bring her “girls� (as she lovingly refers to her paintings) for an art opening and a special silent auction of three beautiful and exquisite boxes that have heretofore been unavailable for purchase.�

Continue reading "Girls for sale - Markert on the Market" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:52 PM | Permalink

Got a robe?

Friday the 13th was the 10 yr anniversary of when I broke my back, seemed an excellent time to go for a soak in Hot Springs, NC. Especially since two of the friends that were instrumental in my healing wanted to drive in and soak as well. Jill and her husband Tim came in from Indianapolis, Lisa from Cleveland. We all met at Paddler’s Pub on Bridge Street at 3 PM. Now, that may seem like an insignificant detail but it isn’t. See, there is one thing you won’t see in Hot Springs, NC - people talking on cell phones. There is a pervasive quietness that permeates the place. Not in a lonely, oppressive, big, old library kind of way, but rather a blue jeans and hat, mountain town one. The lack of cell phone coverage slows things down, things happen more as they naturally flow and less as they are ‘forced’ to. It’s a refreshing break from ‘city’ life, actually a break from the 21st century. But it does mean that you have to go back to early 90’s mentality and plan ahead. According to the locals there was already supposed to be coverage. Now they say maybe by next spring? I say enjoy the cell free zone while you can.

First we hiked the Pump Gap Trail. (Which is just over the French Broad River, make that first left, make the next first left, and follow it all the way back till you see a few parking places. There may be a map here, http://www.bluffmountain.com/-Unguided.) There are TONS of places to hike, bike, ride, raft, you can get your Google on or do like I do and just talk to people and ask for places they like. That’s how I found Pump Gap. See, the ‘strip’ A.K.A. Bridge Street, A.K.A. the AT, A.K.A. the Appalachian Trail, is a great place to get hiking recommendations. (Did you get all those A.K.A.’s? Hot Springs has one main street which is the Appalachian Trail.) You are just as likely to meet a family from Florida as a thru hiker doing the AT. One thing you can count on though is that people are friendly in Hot Springs.

Continue reading "Got a robe?" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

TAJ MAHAL TRIO CANCELLED

This urgent message just in from A.C. Entertainment:

We regret to announce that the Taj Mahal Trio show scheduled for Thursday,
November 2 at the Bijou Theatre has been cancelled due to unforeseen
circumstances. Ticket holders may obtain refunds via the following methods:

Full refunds will be provided through the location where ticketholders made
their purchases. Customers should follow the steps below to receive a
refund:

1 ­ If purchased through the Tennessee Theatre box office, tickets should be
mailed to:

Tennessee Theatre
P.O. Box 272
Knoxville, TN 37901

2 ­ If purchased through Cats Music, Disc Exchange, Thompson Boling Arena,
Tickets Unlimited, tennesseetheatre.com, tickets.com, or
knoxvilletickets.com, tickets should be mailed to:

University of Tennessee
Thompson Boling Arena
1600 Phillip Fulmer Way, Suite 202
Knoxville, TN 37996

3 - The following information should be included with all mailed tickets:
Name
Phone number
Address
Method of Payment ­ Cash, Check, Credit Card number

Refunds for tickets purchased via credit card, will be credited to the card
used. If cash or a check was used, the refund will be issued by check to the
address provided with returned tickets. The deadline for refunds is December
31, 2006.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:59 AM | Permalink

October 30, 2006

Bringing the Hill Country to The Bijou

It’s getting to be that time in the semester for me where everything starts getting blurry. Study, practice, test, work, go to rehearsal, study, practice, testable study worka thing- oh man. I know everybody feels like this sometimes, and we all need to recognize it and take a break. Myself, I go listen to music.

This past Friday a couple friends and I took some down time to go to the Bijou Theatre and check out The North Mississippi All-Stars with Jamie McLean. We met at the Downtown Grill and Brewery, took down some app’s and micro brews and headed down a rainy Gay St. to the Bijou.

We entered and McLean’s set was already in progress. I had seen him as the guitarist in The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, but never fronting his own band. His music was pretty solid, song driven rock. At times it reminded of Bon Jovi (not a personal fav) but with better guitar work. The crowd was pretty modest in size, especially during McClean’s set, but he got them going. He even pulled out the, “ Any of you girls feel like dancing come get on stage� for his closer.

North Mississippi took the stage next. I’m no stranger to their sound, I’ve seen them something like 6-8 times, but always as a four-piece. Friday NMA performed as a trio. With just the two brothers, Luther (guitar/vox) and Cody (drums/guitar) Dickenson and the large UT clad bassist Chris Chew their sound was lean and focused. Luther plays to crowd as a front man, soloing on the edge of the stage with a variety of guitars, one a homemade contraption consisting of a cigar box, a pipe, and two strings. His guitar vocabulary is reminiscent of Hendrix, true blues language fused with psychedelia and progressive slide playing. A lot of the material that night came from their latest album Electric Blue Watermelon, but as usual they employed some past favorites and folk standards.

Continue reading "Bringing the Hill Country to The Bijou" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:18 PM | Permalink

Halloween in the City

On Saturday, October 28, many venues in Knoxville were hosting pre-Halloween parties. The Democrat Dynamic Duo, with me as Jackie Kennedy and my friend Laura as Eleanor Roosevelt, fulfilled our patriotic duty to you, our dear reader, by attending as many parties as possible. It wasn’t an easy job, but we love freedom, and we love polling the electorate, so we began our campaign at Coyote Joe’s on Clinton Highway.

Sure there were plenty of people at Coyote Joe’s dressed as bikers, but some of the best costumes of the evening appeared at this venue. When a mammoth, I mean just plain big, Gene Simmons entered the room I was frightened. When Michelangelo’s David walked in, I covered my eyes. This nude work of art was joined by his band mates who claimed to be Jenna & the Joneses. This motley blues crew consisted of an Elvis Pez dispenser, Indiana Jones, Luke Skywalker, Fred Flintstone, and Ms. Jenna as a stunning Tina Turner. Fearing an unexpected appearance by Ike, we fled to Gay Street.

Continue reading "Halloween in the City" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:18 PM | Permalink

October 26, 2006

We have a winner!

Congratulations to "Mr. Jason" for winning 2 tickets to see the North Mississippi Allstars at the Bijou Theatre this week!

Thanks to everyone for entering. We appreciate your support more than you know!

Stay tuned for more contests this fall!
The 520 Gang

Posted by the 520 gang at 4:52 PM | Permalink

Tour de macabre

I've never been a mega-fan of the quasi-goth group, The Dresden Dolls. That is to say, I wasn't until I saw them on Monday night for their nearly sold-out show at the Bijou. To put it simply, the two-person tour de macabre left me in awe.

As usual, I prepared for the show and impending review by doing some research on the band: their history, their training, how they met, their influences, saw pictures of them as kids, blah blah blah. I listened to mp3s, watched video clips and bought their recent CD Yes, Virginia. Pretty much everywhere I clicked and every page I flipped had some reference to their "Punk Cabaret" style. There also seemed to be lots of references the band, themselves, made in response like: "Fuck Punk Cabaret".

Continue reading "Tour de macabre" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Hellbilly fire

Each of the past 3 generations has its Hank...one that represents the badass and reckless side of country music...one that lives fast by his own rules. We admire and venerate these Hanks, and lift them to legend status. Hell, we even have festivals in their honor!

It seems like just yesterday that the Old City ran amok with fans out celebrating not only Hank Williams, Sr., but also his lineage, at the very successful Hank Days. Well, tomorrow night that bloodline makes a beeline for Knoxville. This time, in the form of Hank III - the third in the line of rebellious country royalty.

Like Hank Williams, Jr., Hank III honors the "family tradition", but also chooses to forge new musical ground. He will be playing 2 sets at Blue Cats this Friday night, Oct. 27th. The first set will feature traditional country songs reminiscent of those by his granddaddy. The vocal and visual resemblance the two Hanks share is uncanny and makes one marvel at the laws of genetics. His oldschool set is tender and tearful - just like good country songs oughtta be. You might even feel as though you've been transported to another time, hearing songs sung by the ghost of an old soul.

But, just when you thought you might be serenaded by none other than Hank, Sr., III rips you out of your nostalgic meloncholy with a hot and jagged blend of country, honky-tonk, punk and hardcore rock. The result is pure "hellbilly". According to Dale Watson, who records with Koch Records, Hank III's style is "a dose of Hard Core reality you won't find in today's candy assed country music".

Normally, I'd say that such a dramatic shift in styles would clear out the more traditional listeners, but I just learned that the show is entirely sold out. In fact the only place to get tickets at the moment is to win them on the air at 90.3 The Rock! If you're feeling lucky, tune in and try your hand at the ol' radio call in contest. If you don't have tickets yet, you'll want to do whatever you can to see the Hank of Our Age...the Grandson-Of-A-Gun...Hank III.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:26 PM | Permalink

October 23, 2006

520's Allstar Ticket Contest!

Knoxville520 and A.C. Entertainment have teamed up to offer you lucky folks a chance to win some 2-ticket packages for the North Mississippi Allstars - coming to the Bijou Theatre on Friday, Oct. 27th!

The North Mississippi Allstars began in 1996 and have since been pioneers in the world of blues-infused rock. Many of their songs have received Grammy nominations and they have appeared on prestigious stages all over the United States, Europe and Asia.

Now it's your chance to see these legends in the flesh and for free! (What could be better than that, we ask?) Here's how to do it:

Send an email to knoxville520@gmail.com. Write "I'm a 520 Allstar!" in the body of the text. Now, we'll be notifying the winners between 3 p.m and 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 26th, so be sure to let us know the best way to reach your lucky ass!

When we let you know you've got the golden ticket (insert Willy Wonka theme here), we'll also let you know where/how to you can pick them up.

Game on!

NMA on the red carpet at the Grammy's

It wouldn't be a contest without some fine print, right?
If you're interested, grab your bifocals & follow us to the official rules.

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:56 PM | Permalink

A Thumpin' Good Tribute to Cas Walker

A Tribute to Cas Walker will be held on Friday, October 27 at 6:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. at the East Tennessee Historical Center located at 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee. Special guests will include David West and his Cider Mountain Boys, a bluegrass band who performed on Cas Walker’s “Farm and Home Hour,� “The Jim Walter Jubilee Starring Bonnie Lou and Buster,� at the Grand Ole Opry, and for three U.S. presidents.

Orton Caswell “Cas� Walker (1903-1998) was a controversial politician, business and entertainment figure in East Tennessee. Well known in these parts for launching the career of Dolly Parton, he also featured Bill Monroe, the Osborne Brothers, Chet Atkins, the Everly Brothers, and hundreds of other musicians on his “Farm and Home Hour� televised musical variety show.

Continue reading "A Thumpin' Good Tribute to Cas Walker" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Mad Tea Party

As writer Peggy Seeger said of Mad Tea Party, "Drop whatever you're doing when they are in your neighborhood and join in the fun."

On Thursday, October 26, 2006, the fun will be in our neighborhoon at two locations. Beginning noon, at WDVX's noon Blue Plate Special, Mad Tea Party will be sharing the bill with Larry Keel & Natural Bridge. At 10:00 p.m., on the same day, the fun continues at the Corner Lounge, as the band celebrates their new CD release Big Top Soda Pop. This follow-up to the band's wonderful CD Flying Saucers, a collection of 1920-1940 covers songs, shifts gears with original 1960's pop style influenced songs that are ukulele fried in Mad Tea Party's unique and special way.

This past summer, I was fortunate enough to catch this band's standing room only evening performance at Preservation Pub and I fell in love instantly their "vaudeville rock" music and style. Multi-instrumentalist Jason Rakel's gutteral back up vocals on "L'il Liza Jane" will forever be imprinted in my memory. As The Laurel newspaper reports, "There is nothing else on the acoustic music scene quite like Mad Tea Party." Becki Carr excellently sums up the fun and intrigue of Mad Tea Party's music:

"Take an 1874 Arthur O’Shaughn's poem and turn it into a Spike Jones-inspired ditty? Why not?! Discover Ami Wort hen’s ukulele and Jason Rakel’s guitar dancing over the backdrop of Valarie Miller’s solid bass line, and you’ll soon want more of this modernized-yet-old-school folk group. Their harmonizing vocals highlight wickedly clever commentary on love, life, death and the music business. The result is the thought-provoking, smile-inducing Mad Tea Party.

This year Mad Tea Party is releasing Big Top, Soda Pop, which showcases the group’s edgy-sweet retro sound. The title track bounces like a trapeze and rocks out at the same time, with lyrics that describe both the glitzy lure and underlying facade of the circus. Displaying their remarkable versatility, the song 'Berry-Bevin' brings listeners back to the era of 60s pop, while 'Whistle Pig' is a spooky fiddle tune with tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Big Top, Soda Pop is Mad Tea Party’s most ambitious project to date, a genuine display of refreshingly imaginative music.

Continue reading "Mad Tea Party" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 19, 2006

Murder By Death

We Knoxville music lovers are a lucky bunch.

On any given night, one can find damn near any genre of music being played live in unique environments. This Saturday, for instance, there will be jazz in Bearden, hip hop on Gay St., bluegrass in North Knoxville and African world music on Market Square. I've lived many different places, and little Knoxville holds its own against any major city, as far as musical diversity goes! There are many venues in our fair city that are working hard to keep it that way.

One of the best places to consistantly hear local and visiting cutting-edge performers is the Pilot Light on Jackson Avenue in the Old City. One such group will be holding court on their stage this weekend - the brooding and theatrical Murder By Death.

This Indiana band is somewhat new on the scene, but already they've racked up quite a list of credentials that include playing the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival and opening for The Pogues. Their eclectic sound is earning them favor among those who desire a little intelligence mixed with their melodies.

Murder By Death incorporates dark themes, long piano lines and wild cello solos into their always entertaining and melodramatic shows. Currently on a mega US tour to promote their latest release, In Bocca al Lupo, which was called "flawless, tragic and beautiful, audacious and ballsy from start to finish", by Outburn Magazine. The album features saloon songs, pirate anthems and haunting instrumental solos that will give you the willies. (Speaking of solos, on their first record, Like The Exorcist, But More Breakdancing, Murder By Death wowed listeners with an 8-minute instrumental solo that they claim was recorded entirely in darkness.)

Appearing with Murder By Death is Sam Lowry, who's voice and songwriting been compared to that of Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. Enough said.

Don't miss your chance to see these up-and-coming musicians in then intimacy of the Pilot Light this Saturday at 9pm. Click here for more info.

Watch the video for "Brother" by Murder By Death.

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:01 PM | Permalink

Uncorking Mitch Rutman

Last week at the Bijou Theatre I had the pleasure of hearing my first Mitch Rutman solo performance. Given the daunting task of opening for jazz giants Bill Frisell and Jack DeJohnette, Rutman seemed confident and energized as he sat delivering his stylishly precise guitar compositions. More than happy to engage the crowd, Rutman was personable and humorous remarking, “I can’t believe that’s Jack DeJohnette’s drum kit. I’m gonna touch it.� His set consisted mainly of original material from his Knoxville based quintet’s latest album and also a few Steely Dan covers.

Luckily for all those not in attendance that night, Mitch will be bringing his guitar down to Oodles Uncorked wine bar this Saturday night. Oodles, for the unacquainted, is located on market square and offers an extensive wine list and comfortable date atmosphere. The venue is a perfect match for the guitarist’s sound, which is a pleasing hybrid of jazz/blues/latin/reggae and seemingly anything else that inspires him.
Besides being able to carry a striking solo performance, Mitch also leads one of Knoxville’s tightest bands. Check out The Mitch Rutman Group website for a sampling of their self-titled release. Tracks like the jazzy PBR’s Rule and the reggae influenced Unexplained Subway Moisture are especially noteworthy. In addition to having some of Knoxville’s finest musicians, the album features Jeff Coffin of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

Mitch Rutman’s resume speaks for itself. Frequent guest appearances with The Dave Matthews Band (see the DMB Live in Chicago CD), opening for John Scofield , and playing at this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival are all on the list. Mitch is a prime example of the wealth of talent that resides right here in Knoxville. Come to Oodles this Saturday at 10 p.m. and find out for yourself.

The Mitch Rutman Group at Bonnaroo

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:48 PM | Permalink

Medford's Black Record Collection

Medford’s Black Record Collection, a Knoxville-based duo consisting of Matt Foster and Michael Davis, is unique to the local music scene while simultaneously being known for their traditional-sounding, country/bluegrass/folk music. Often wearing dress pants, button-up shirts and ties, cowboy boots and cowboy hats on stage, the two also add a fascinating element to their performances by playing a large variety of instruments including guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, and fiddle. Any permutation of these instruments is likely to be seen on any given song.

However, unlike many other bands around here, Medford’s has a concept album. Titled The Flattville Murder Album, the record features fictitious characters interacting in the same fictitious environment in the same style of Neil Young’s environmental-awareness album Greendale.

Talking to the band is always entertaining. I’ve seen them around town for months and talked to them a handful of times, but I finally got the chance to talk to them in-depth album their writing process and their album on a recent Monday night at Barley’s.

Continue reading "Medford's Black Record Collection" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 18, 2006

Give us your bios, your photos, your mp3s!

The Knoxville520 mission is simple - we wanna be the best resource for local music and musicians. We're well on our way, but we still need your help. You can do this by making sure we have the most current info about you and your badass band!

If you don't see your group listed with a photo under our "Bands" tab, email us your info at knoxville520@gmail.com. We'll gladly add you to our motley crew!

The same goes for your songs. If you don't have a link or an mp3 listed under the "Music" tab, shoot us an email and we'll make sure all of our visitors can hear the sound of your sweet refrains. (Please only send originals, though.)

Thanks for making Knoxville520 such a success, already!

The 520 Gang

p.s.
tell all your musician friends to do the same!

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:16 PM | Permalink

October 16, 2006

Chow down home-style!

If your culinary interests are playfully diverse—say, you enjoy your mamaw’s pork fat-soaked beans and buttery mashed taters as much as skinny lattes and tofu spinach salads—then you should check out Big Fatty’s in the heart of Bearden on Kingston Pike. Whatever your mood (or dietary restrictions), you’ll find something to satisfy.

Driving down Kingston, you’re liable to pass by Big Fatty’s without notice. Housed in a non-descript building, the restaurant is half-surrounded by a privacy fence, saving its patrons the embarrassing possibility of making eye contact with a West Knox News customer. But when you step inside, you’re greeted with brightly colored walls—mint green, pink, yellow—and eclectic art work ranging from jazz-era paintings to an ironic pop art image to an independent film festival photograph. When I walk into Big Fatty’s, I’m instantly happy.

This Saturday as I happily sat down to lunch, I was yearning for some home cooking. I seriously considered the blue plate special, a BBQ pulled pork sandwich with slaw, but after perusing the diverse menu, I honed in on the veggie plate, featuring a choice of four side items from the long list of options. I chose pinto beans, mac and cheese, turnip greens, and green beans (corn bread comes on the side). Take note, meat-averse friends, that all side items are vegetarian-friendly. And as I found out, this lack of pork fat does not translate to bland food.

As I studied the menu, I couldn’t help but wonder about the folks behind Big Fatty’s. Who created this inventive commingling of healthy foods like the Happy Fatty Salad (wild greens, mangoes, blue cheese, pecans, chicken) and soul-satisfying southern meals like the Gangsta Breakfast (fried chicken, eggs, pancakes)?

As luck would have it my server also happened to be a co-owner of the establishment, and she sat down with me for a chat to answer my burning questions. Ree (pictured left) and her business partner, Lisa, started Big Fatty’s as an on-location catering business for movies and commercials throughout Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina, and serve on the East Tennessee Film Commission. Ah-ha! So the menu was inspired both by the southern-style soul food of the region, and by body-conscious actors who demand healthy yet tasty options.

Continue reading "Chow down home-style!" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Me Have Free Time One Day

Working in the theatre, having free evenings is a rare occurence. If you're not in rehearsal, then you're usually at the theatre watching your friend's show on the nights you have off. Unless those nights are Mondays, which in theatre-land are revered as the Holiest of Holy Days (which also include Oscar Night, Tony Night, and Opening Night). You don't ever have shows on Monday nights. And your friends don't ever have shows on Monday nights. So what's a theatre guy to do on this cold October day?

Well, if you're like me, you jump at the opportunity to go see David Frickin' Sedaris at the Tennessee Theatre. Being an NPR junkie, I first heard Sedaris when WUOT rebroadcast his infamous "The SantaLand Diaries" essay a couple of years ago. (By the way, it's a NPR lover's dream at the Tennessee this year. Terry Gross from Fresh Air is coming in Novemer, and Ira Glass of This American Life is scheduled for February. If they would only tape Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me here, my life would be complete.) Lo and behold, I discovered that this Sedaris fellow also had a string of books to his name, many of which my friends had already consumed and gotten obsessed about.

Continue reading "Me Have Free Time One Day" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Cutthroat Shamrock CD Review & Interview

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Cutthroat Shamrock shows are always wild and wonderful occasions. While the music is frantic and joyful, there are so many distractions in the room. The people watching is fascinating. Sometimes I’m mopping up the beer soaked floor. Other times I’m dancing. Then there’s Guido’s hair and shoes and that spidery way he has of climbing onto his upright bass. There’s Derek’s scowl. Something good is always going on.

I am grateful the boys were able to capture so much of the vibrant energy of their live shows onto their newly released self-titled CD. Another advantage to the CD versus the live show is the crisp clear sound. Without the distractions of the bar room and the limitations of tavern sound equipment, all of the instrumentation and vocals are fierce and discernable. While I would not want to give up going to the live shows, this professionally recorded CD provides a much needed fix when one is between shows.

The exuberant Steady Rain kicks off the CD with its charming sing-a-long back up vocals and heartfelt reference to Tennessee whiskey. Next, the pace quickly revs up with the raucous pirate tune, S.S. Sorrows. This is the most musically complex song on the CD, with an operatic-style trio handling of the chorus, which includes a gruff and gravelly old sailor voice chanting, “the old bag of bones.� The musical changes add to the urgency of this tune, with things slowing down to a teasing bass solo from Guido and then revving back up into a fury of drumming with Suavo on drum kit, Johnny on congas and Ryan on djembe.

Continue reading "Cutthroat Shamrock CD Review & Interview" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Cutthroat Shamrock (continued)

(this article began here)

Gatlinburg Irish Punk-rockers Cutthroat Shamrock’s self-titled CD is now available at shows and can be heard on the Preservation Pub’s jukebox in Knoxville. Within a month, the band hopes to have their CD available at Disc Exchange and Cat’s Music.

The CD is $10.00 when purchased at shows. As Benjamin says, “You’ll still be able to afford beer. Why go home and listen to a CD without a buzz? We also included the lyrics on our liner notes so you can understand what we are slurring about.�

520: Your live shows are very energetic. Do you feel you were able to catch that live spirit?

Benjamin: We were more sober when recording the CD, so it’s not as chaotic.

520: This is your first “official� CD, isn’t it?

Benjamin: Yes. There are bootleg CDs of our St. Patty’s 2006 live performance, another bootleg called “Beer Soaked & Live�, and some studio cuts Derek and I cut before the band was formed.

520: What was the most difficult or unexpected aspect of recording the CD?

Benjamin: Recording one piece at a time and running out of beer.

Derek: We had to record our parts separately. It was strange not playing as a whole group.

Guido: I had to re-write several bass lines. When playing slap bass, it pops like percussion and recording the tracks separately, my slapping was not in sync with our percussionists’ tracks.

Johnny: It sounded so different because we weren’t playing off of each other. I missed jamming with everybody. I really enjoyed the experience, though, and I learned a lot.

Continue reading "Cutthroat Shamrock (continued)" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:30 AM | Permalink

October 12, 2006

Brewer's Jam

It's that time of year again, kids. Time to grab your camping chairs, some cash, the phone number of a cab company (just in case) and head down to World's Fair Park for Saturday's 10th Annual Knoxville Brewer's Jam. It's a day of sun (at least that's the forecast), fresh air (well, relatively), great local bands (really only one band is local this year) and enough beer to make you feel like a kid in a candy store.

The gates to the Jam open at 2pm for your listening and beer-sampling pleasure. From then until 8pm, you will have the opportunity to taste the products from 42 breweries from all over the world and a few from right here at home. Local experts from The Woodruff Brewing Co., The New Knoxville Brewing Co., The Downtown Grill & Brewery and Calhoun's Microbrewery will be showing 'em how we do it here in Knox Vegas.

Without a doubt, after a few sips of the awesome ales you'll be in the mood to dance to the sounds of 4 of the area's favorite bands. Cutthroat Shamrock, Todd Steed & the Suns of Phere, Trent Summar & the New Row Mob and the everybodyfields will be taking their turns onstage throughout the day. Surely with all that beer around, you can find the one that best compliments each band!

All this beer and musical fellowship can be yours for the low, low price of $20 in advance or $25 at the gate. You can get tix online until 5pm on Friday, Oct 13th. For more information and a complete list of the participating breweries visit the MetroPulse.

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:54 PM | Permalink

Get Your Mozart On

GET YOUR MOZART ON!

Not interested in brew or baklava? On Saturday, October 14, Knoxville Opera will be kicking off its 2006-2006 season with the Mainly Mozart Festival and A Mozart Opera Extravaganza! Both of these events will take place at the Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church at 9132 Kingston Pike.

Continue reading "Get Your Mozart On" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:25 AM | Permalink

October 9, 2006

Gorey Gorey Hallelujah

I am all about themed parties. In the last two years, I have attended soirees with names that pretty much sum up the expected attire (Polyester, Superheroes, Trailer Trash, Toga, Pirate, Tie-and-Underwear), as well as more ambiguous affairs that require a little imagination (Heaven & Hell, Come As You're Not, outdoor October weddings), and one that I certainly hope there are no pictures from ([Name changed to protect the guilty]'s 23rd Birthday Porn Party).

Imagine my joy at the news that the Actors Co-op, everyone's favorite Knoxville theatre troupe, is putting on a darkly themed fete of their own, just in time for Halloween. This Saturday, the Co-op is proudly hosting "A Gorey Masquerade Ball" at 8 pm at the World Grotto. This is the cream of the crop of costume parties, folks. A masquerade ball by itself would have been exciting, but throwing in the Edward Gorey modifier ensures that this will be a creepy affair.

Continue reading "Gorey Gorey Hallelujah" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Bill Frisell at the Bijou

You know you're good when the most respected names in music are knocking down your door to get a chance to collaborate with you. Since he tiptoed onto the jazz scene in the late 1970's, guitarist Bill Frisell has steadily been rounding up admirers inside and outside the whole music industry--not just the jazz world.

Known for his musical versatility, Frisell deftly combines many genres to create a unique and passionate sound. The result is a seamless blend of jazz, blues, country and rock. Spin Magazine describes his music this way: "Bill Frisell is the Clark Kent of the electric guitar. Soft-spoken and self-effacing in conversation, he apparently breathes in lungfuls of raw fire when he straps on his (guitar)...His music is not what is typically called jazz, though it turns on improvisation; it's not rock'n roll; and it sure ain't that tired dinosaur called fusion. In one of the biggest leaps of imagination since the Yardbirds and Jimi Hendrix, Frisell coaxes and slams his hovering split-toned ax into shapes of things to come...But besides being a guitar genius, he's turned into a terrific songwriter. Like Monk, Frisell's harmonic and melodic ideas form a succinct, seamless mesh with outer sonic and rhythmic ideas about his ax."

Continue reading "Bill Frisell at the Bijou" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:59 AM | Permalink

October 3, 2006

Actors Co-op Kids' Show!

Just passing this along to you folks with wee (and not-so-wee) ones...

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:52 PM | Permalink

October 2, 2006

Son of a gun, we had big fun!

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Only one hour into the festivities at the 4th annual Hank Days celebration, as Labron Lazenby and his band left the stage at Patrick Sullivan’s, emcee Jack Rentfro declared, “You people are getting too much bang for your bucks! I’m jealous.� For a mere $10.00 donation to the Terry Hill Memorial Children’s Music Fund, festival goers had the option to go honky-tonkin’ amongst four Old City venues participating in this celebration of Hank Williams‘ music. Even though Rentfro tried to tempt the Patrick Sullivan‘s crowd into sticking around because he said he would be making as ass of himself later, it was the incredible line up of musicians and other fun activities that kept the happy revelers traveling back and forth between Patrick Sullivan‘s, the Urban Bar, the Pilot Light and Manhattan’s.

In the early cool evening, Hank Williams impersonator Joe Wampler was strolling the streets, there were festive Hank decorations, street musicians, and the smell of Jambalaya in the air. Doc, the French-Cajun doorman from Manhattan’s won the Jambalaya cook-off. Doc’s secret seemed to be using fresh ingredients, including generous helpings of deep-Gulf Shrimp. Labron Lazenby, looking like a rock-a-billy hipster, performed a scorching blues and boogie show, while the Pilot Light offered a large screen viewing of a sweet and quaint Grand Old Opry video that included the lanky Hank singing “Hey Good Lookin’�.

Continue reading "Son of a gun, we had big fun!" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:13 PM | Permalink

Wine on the Water - Details!

Okay – I usually like to write with some clever banter. But given the absolute coolness of the information I have to offer – let’s just skip the fifty-cent words and get to the goods.

Below is a partial list of the wines that will be poured at Wine on the Water. The event is Friday, October 6th and as far as I know, this is the first publication of any such list, so I think SCOOP is a good word.

This event represents a good showing of wine – definitely worth a visit and absolutely worth more than the price of admission. There are wines of all calibers here, so visit every tent (remember to spit, so you can make the rounds). Keep in mind that this is only a partial list – there are more wines on the slate.

Nevertheless, here’s a little guide to help you get to the best of the show. I offer this because it doesn’t take long for the really good stuff to evaporate.

Continue reading "Wine on the Water - Details!" »

Posted by Dennis Perkins at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The great masked guitarist!

Who is Buckethead? The question has been in the air for fifteen
years now. He's become one of the most innovative heavy metal artists of his
time, but still no photos exist and no interview requests are granted. We
know his real name is Brian Carroll, or is it?

This mystique has gained him an international cult following and Tuesday at the Bijou Theatre will be Knoxville concert goers' chance see something that they've definitely never seen before.

It was fall 2003 when bandmate Chris Peck and I attended our first
Buckethead show. As we passed through the door of Nashville's Mercy Lounge,
the music was already in progress. Our view of the stage was blocked by the
crowd, but the initial aural picture was that of a three or four-piece
progressive metal band. We moved in and the picture came into focus. It was
one man. One man with a KFC bucket on his head and a white mask on his face,
his left hand tapping a rabidly ferocious guitar melody while his right hand
gripped the hair of a dangling severed head. This is an average night for
the persona known as Buckethead.

Continue reading "The great masked guitarist!" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:23 AM | Permalink

September 28, 2006

The Unique History of the Barter Theatre

Within the theatre community, the Barter Theatre of Abingdon, Virginia is legendary. Not only for their top-quality productions, but also for the unique way the theatre came into existence back in 1933.

During the Depression, most of the theatres throughout the country were shut down--partly because audiences couldn't afford to spend money on plays and partly because of the notion that it was somehow indecent to enjoy oneself during such difficult times.

One enterprising young actor from Abingdon, VA thought of a way around at least the financial hurdle of producing theatre. He allowed audiences to gain admission to his theatre in exchange for produce, dairy products and livestock. The price to see a play was 40 cents or the equivalent in goods. People in the area were elated by the chance to escape the challenges of daily life with a visit to the theatre and being able to barter goods for admission made the momentary escape possible. The theatre soon became known as The Barter Theatre.

Continue reading "The Unique History of the Barter Theatre" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:55 PM | Permalink

And We'll Go Honky Tonkin'

The 4th Annual Hank Days
celebration of Hank Williams, Sr.’s music in the Old City includes a stellar line-up of live music and interesting events, including, but not limited to, the showing of video television clips of the late great Hank, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry� speed dating, a country music walking tour, and numerous contests.

Hank Days 2006 coordinator Jacqui (Alexander) Wadsworth reports that Knoxville’s Hank Days’ festivals have always been fundraisers, and this year, like last year, this event will support the Terry Hill Children’s Traditional Music Fund. Terry Hill was a local guitar god who passed away on November 1, 2002. The proceeds from Hank Days will support scholarships available to children and teenagers who are interested in learning to play the guitar.

Continue reading "And We'll Go Honky Tonkin'" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:39 AM | Permalink

September 26, 2006

The Actors Co-op Gorey Ball!

The upcoming Actors Co-op fundraiser at the World Grotto took its inspiration from one of the creepiest, coolest authors ever: Edward Gorey.

The idea is to come to the Oct. 14th Gorey Ball dressed as a character from one of Edward Gorey's books. To help you along, here's a list of a few books that will help you put together a dark costume for this macabre (but worthwhile) event:

Amphigorey
The Gashlycrumb Tinies
Cautionary Tales for Children
The Doubtful Guest

Call (865)909-9300 for more information or costume ideas.

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:01 AM | Permalink

September 25, 2006

If I were a rock star...

(Reflections on the raw & naked art of Citizen Cope at Blue Cats, 2005)

It’s at least half way through the show and I’m swept up with the rest of the crowd lost deep in the music when my mind is suddenly jarred back into reality as this guy leans over and asks, “Who is this playing?� And I’m thinking, ‘what - you must be the only person in here that doesn’t know who this is, or you are looking for an easy way to break the ice?’ I give him the benefit of doubt and tell him it is Citizen Cope, while continuing to bop my head and sway to the beats in unison with everyone, mesmerized. Turns out Chuck and his friend Casey are from Portland, Oregon road trippin’ for the summer, they will end up in Orlando eventually. However, tonight they happened to be here at Blue Cats. I asked a couple times how they knew this was the place to be and never quite got the answer? And while it may seem like a random meeting at a random show, I don’t think it was. The air was literally dripping with ‘there are no coincidences in life’, with the awareness that it’s in these moments which things that are so much greater than us; like hope and love, thrive and grow in, and that everything happens for a reason. I think we often shut these moments down, put them in boxes and only let them out to play during feel-good movies, church, and fairy tales. We don’t let things like hope and love out to play nearly enough and we don’t let them lead us where they would have us go. There is so much of life that goes unnoticed by most, Citizen Cope notices though and cultivates these moments for others to enjoy and experience.

Earlier in the evening, I felt a presence next to me; you know how you can tell when someone is looking at you at a stop light? Sure enough it was him, Clarence Greenwood AKA Citizen Cope, out in the crowd checking the acoustics of the room. I watched him head to the boards and the lights started tripping out as he sampled their flexibility. The crowd immediately started hollerin’ (we are in Knoxville after all, besides there’s nothing wrong with hollerin’) because they think he’s about to begin the show. Little do they know he’s behind them, checking out the details, and I’m struck with what that says about him as a person and as a musician? How much he truly cares about what he’s doing, truly cares about his music and the entire experience of his live show. And it wasn’t that he was late to sound check, he had been early, this was just icing on the cake. I smiled, already impressed, and he hadn’t even played a note.

Continue reading "If I were a rock star..." »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Retrospective Dos

When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine

One thing you will most likely never find in any town north of the Ohio River is a flower-man. Knoxville has a flower man, also known as Taylor. Not one night out on the town in either Market Square or Old City will go without the pleasant whiff of Taylor’s bouquet of roses. His roses come in all colors, scents and sizes and wander around prettily throughout the night as romantics and drunks alike purchase them.
Even towns that have a “flower man,� are not experiencing the same special openness, wisdom and essential friendship that can be found by knowing Taylor the flower man. Nights out since I’ve left Knoxville are not the same.

Continue reading "Retrospective Dos" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Benefit For the Rock

As many of you might have heard, three employees of Sapphire were involved in a terrible car accident as they left work last week. Josh Gilliland & Chris Wissing are home recovering from injuries they received and are expected to be as good as new in the near future.

However, Lydia Rock, one of their first employees and a friend of 520 (also the "star" of our Pub Crawl posters) remains in the hospital in a coma.

The Sapphire family has decided to host a benefit party for Lydia to help raise funds to cover her mounting expenses. On Thursday, Sep 28th, the bar will be offering Happy Hour pricing from open til close. There will be DJ music beginning at 10 p.m. A portion of the sales will go to Lydia and her family but also, a hat will be passed throughout the evening to receive your individual donations and cards.

Not only is Sapphire known for their outstanding food, drinks and service, but also for their close-knit family of employees. Please lend Lydia Rock and the rest of the Sapphire staff your support during this difficult time.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 21, 2006

Lantern & Carriage Tour of Old Gray

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary to get into this weekend, why not make it a horse-drawn carriage?

Old Gray Cemetery is offering the annual Lantern & Carriage Tour of the graves of historic Knoxville characters. There will be storytelling, re-enactors, period costumes and refreshments to put you in good spirits!

For more info, contact the Old Grey Cemetery at (865)522-1424 or visit their website.

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:02 PM | Permalink

Have A Big, Gay Ball!

T here have been many proposed answers to the often-asked Sunsphere Question. Make it a restaurant, again. Turn it into a visitor center. Or a gift shop. My favorite solution by far has been the suggestion to turn it into a gay dance club by night and a wig emporium by day. Can’t you just see some guy in a Smithers costume cutting the ceremonial pink ribbon at its grand re-opening? Think of the freakin’ publicity. And what if they rigged the whole thing to rotate like a giant disco ball, a Big Gay Beacon in the night? A boy can only dream...

Continue reading "Have A Big, Gay Ball!" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Jose Gonzalez

This Sunday evening, the Bijou stage will be graced by Swedish guitarist/singer, Jose Gonzalez. Already a mega star on the European continent, Gonzalez is making the rounds State-side to promote his new and fantastic record, Veneer.

Continue reading "Jose Gonzalez" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:03 PM | Permalink

Hard Knox Roller Girls In Their First Bout!

Here's all you need to know about the upcoming knock-down-drag-out Roller Girl bout:

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:59 AM | Permalink

September 18, 2006

The news from Sapphire

We just received this release from the good (and cute) folks at Sapphire about upcoming changes to Knoxville's swankiest joint. Read on:

Because many of you have been asking ... Sapphire's
wine dinner for September will feature all sparkling
wine! From sweet to dry and red (yes, red!) to white,
our distributor partners from B & T have come up with
a unique selection of 5 wines that really sparkle.
Expect some interesting food pairings from Executive
Chef Chip. Please join us September 19 at 6:00 PM for
the event. $35 with reservation, $38 without. You
wont be disappointed.

And in case you haven't heard, starting Thursday of
this week, Sapphire will have a new full dining menu
with four categories: HOT CHILL RAW SWEET. We did
keep some of the favorites from our previous menus and
we will still have our 5 course tasting menu with
optional wine pairings.

And speaking of wine pairings, also starting this
Thursday we will offer 60 wines by the glass,
including 10 sparkling wines. We have made an
investment in a state of the art wine preservation
system that will ensure every glass tastes like it
came from a freshly opened bottle. As always, we
still offer 30% off wine by the glass and bottle every
Tuesday.

Also new, for lovers of our signature drinks, we have
an enhanced signature drink list. We brought back all
the favorites of days gone by (like the White Courtesy
Phone and the Makaha) and have added four flavors of
Mojitos - Pomegranate, Passion Fruit, French and
Seasonal Berry. And now all the Mojitos are available
no sugar added using Splenda sweetener! Be sure to
check out our new signature shooter list as well.

Sapphire is also offering live jazz on Wednesday nights and drink specials throughout the week.

In addition to all the new drinking and dining
selections, we will be giving our website a facelift
in the coming weeks to better represent all the
changes. Keep your browser pointed to
www.sapphire-knoxville.com!

The SFR family was busy this summer in preparation for
all the changes and hope to see you soon to see what
we have been up to!

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:37 PM | Permalink

September 14, 2006

Jazz Clinics begin this weekend

To paraphrase Count Basie, it’ll be Jumpin’ at the Library two Sundays in September when the Knoxville Jazz Festival begins its second year of hands on/listening workshops in the Auditorium of the East Tennessee History Center.

On Sunday, September 17, at 3:00, jazz drummer and UT professor, Keith Brown, will present The Rhythm Section: Backbone of the Music.

On the following Sunday, September 24, at 3:00, the world renowned pianist, Donald Brown, will teach The History of Jazz and the Art of Improvising. The History Center is located at 601 S. Gay Street across from The Tennessee Theatre. Both workshops are free.

The Rhythm Section: Backbone of the Music takes a look at the role of the jazz drummer as well as how jazz rhythm has evolved from a straight four to the complicated rhythms commonly heard today. “The drummer is sort of like Ginger Rogers,� Keith Brown said. “It’s said she did everything Fred Astaire did only backwards and in high heels.� According to Brown, the drummer is generally in the background supporting the other players and holding the band together with a dead-on beat. The drummer has to know all the tunes, anticipate what the other players are going to do as well as play innovatively “If something’s not going well, it’s often the drummer who has to step in and fix things.�

Improvisation has been an integral part of jazz from the beginning which is why Donald Brown links The History of Jazz and the Art of Improvising. Jazz improvisation may be defined as composing music on the spot. Although it takes practice to become a skilled improviser, a lot can be learned in a short time when the teacher is as gifted as Donald Brown. Students come from all over the country to study with him at UT and he recently finished his second stint as a fellow at the Brubeck Institute in California. The public is invited to bring instruments or just come to listen.

The second Knoxville Jazz Festival is March 1-3, 2007. It is produced by Knox County Public Library, Donald Brown and Tribe One. The September workshops are funded by The Friends of Knox County Public Library.

For more information, call Nelda Hill at 215-8729.

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:35 PM | Permalink

Tennessee Sheiks CD Release Party

The Laurel Theatre becomes the Hot Club of Knoxville this Friday night as it swings to the sounds of gypsy jazz band, the Tennessee Sheiks, as they celebrate the release of their self-titled album.

Django Reinhardt

This local musical caravan takes their inspiration from the legendary and distinctive French guitarist Django Reinhardt. The Tennessee Sheiks infuse standards, as well as original pieces, with sophisticated rhythms and dazzling melodies that hearken to another time. The instrumental numbers, as well as those graced by the nimble vocals of Ms. Nancy Brennan Strange, are lively & acoustic in nature and bring to mind the soundtrack from The Triplets of Belleville.

The Triplets of Belleville-2003

Continue reading "Tennessee Sheiks CD Release Party" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Benefit for Laith a Huge Success

As anybody who was out that night (and can remember it) will tell you, the benefit for Laith Keilany, and the Thompson Cancer Center, was a huge success. It was a way to help out a friend, help out folks in need, and, it was a way to say thanks to Laith for so many benefits he has played. Slaps on the back go to Bryan Benson, Lenore Kinder, and Matt Urmy for putting together the night that included twenty five bands, ten venues, and everyone in Knoxville. With the matching funds from 21st Mortgage, the benefit raised over $11,000.

Not since Bonnaroo have I seen so many people all having a good time; I guess that's why several folks started calling the event Laitharoo. Laith will be back on his Knoxville feet in November, and I know the oud will be back on the scene (and on the benefit circuit).

Posted by Phil Pollard at 2:47 AM | Permalink

September 11, 2006

Maid Rite Stringband

One of my favorite things about being a musician is having musician friends.

No matter the occasion, whenever there's a gathering of musical types, you can pretty much count on someone whipping out an instrument to add to the festivities. Soon, voices join in and there are more instruments added--some legit and some made from whatever materials are handy (i.e., spoons, tabletops, pans). In no time at all you've got a bonafide--although temporary--band born from the inspiration of the moment. And every so often, the magic of the moment sticks and the skeleton of a true musical group is formed.

One new local group to develop out of such improvisation is the Maid Rite Stringband, comprised of musical veterans Sarah Pirkle on fiddle and Matt Morelock on banjo/ukelele. They're joined on guitar by Leah Gardner, a relative newcomer.

Continue reading "Maid Rite Stringband" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Lyle Lovett at the Tennessee Theatre

Grab your hat and head out to the Tennessee Theatre this Wednesday night for the big Texas sound of Grammy winner, Lyle Lovett.

Continue reading "Lyle Lovett at the Tennessee Theatre" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:36 AM | Permalink

September 8, 2006

Memories on a stick

My family--we're fair people.

State Fair people, that is.

I recently returned from a visit home to Minnesota. Even though there are much warmer times to visit the north woods, I wouldn't have missed the opportunity to plan my trip in conjunction with the Minnesota State Fair last week. It was also my mom's birthday.

My dear mother has the good fortune of celebrating her birthday on Labor Day weekend every year--which also happily coincides with the State Fair. This year, we decided to ring in her 54th year with one Fair activity for each year she's graced our planet. This may seem like a daunting task at first, but it's really quite do-able. With the main Fair activity being eating like a Prize Sow, we knocked about 27 things off our list in the first couple of hours!

Fair organizers make this even easier by putting all the food on a stick. Every food you can imagine (and some you shouldn't) can be fried and shoved on a stick: pork chops w/ sauerkraut, Hot Dish (what Minnesotans call "casserole"), Twinkies, various candy bars, French toast and even a pickle. (With the pickle, you get a souvenir hat, too!)

Only at the Fair

Whether you eat your way across the fairgrounds, stand in line for every ride or simply spend the day wandering through the craft exhibits, Fairs leave an impression on pretty much everyone. With the Tennessee Valley Fair kicking off tonight, we at 520 thought we'd fry up some of our own memories of the annual community get-together. Step right up and get 'em while they're hot!

Continue reading "Memories on a stick" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:20 PM | Permalink

September 5, 2006

The Bad Plus

You gotta admit...there's something in the water in Minneapolis.

There's always some great sound coming out of the Midwestern Musical Mecca (how's that for alliteration?):

Prince
Bob Dylan
The Replacements
The Jayhawks
Husker Du
Soul Asylum
The Suburbs
Morris Day
Happy Apple
Tapes 'n Tapes
Mason Jennings
The lady who sang "Funkytown"

The latest group from the Land of 10,000 Lakes to make waves across the country is experimental jazz trio, The Bad Plus, appearing September 7th at the Bijou.

Dossier photo of The Bad Plus

Continue reading "The Bad Plus" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:41 AM | Permalink

September 1, 2006

Boomsday 2006!

Ooo, ooo, ooo...what a little corporate sponsorship can do!

This year, Boomsday--now known to the entire Western World as the 2006 Chysler Jeep Boomsday Festival--will carry on for 3 whole days. The live music events, NASCAR activites, kid's stuff, a football game and fireworks display are expected to draw more than 300,000 people to downtown Knoxville between 3pm on Friday and Sunday evening of Labor Day weekend. (I wonder how many mullets that will be?)

Continue reading "Boomsday 2006!" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:21 AM | Permalink

First Friday!

Here's the lowdown on some hot First Friday activities for a cool September evening:

Continue reading "First Friday!" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:12 AM | Permalink

August 30, 2006

Knox At Night Benefit

Downtown Knoxville is the place to be tonight, for sure! Practically every venue in the Old City, on Gay St. and Market Square is offering up some grand entertainment for a great cause: to raise money for cancer research and treatment.

Knoxville's own Laith Kilaney, who has been fighting his own personal battle with cancer, has inspired our community to take some action in the fight against the disease. Most every musician in town either knows Laith or knows of him. Even those who only know him casually think of him as a friend, so it's no wonder folks came out of the woodwork to help him when he announced his idea for tonight's benefit.

520 contributer, Phil Pollard, will be wandering the streets tonight (and just how is that different from other nights?), speaking with musicians and supporters alike about the Knox at Night benefit shows. Be sure to check back with us on Friday to read about the event as seen by Mr. Pollard!

Here's the official poster listing all the performers and venues. Hand $5 over to any of the participating venues and you're automatically covered for all the shows listed. Now that's a small price to pay for making a big impact! See you out there!

Posted by the 520 gang at 9:02 AM | Permalink

August 29, 2006

The Stars Come Out On Sesame Street - Part Deux

PART DEUX OF DEUX ----by Brent Thompson
“Tonight we are doing it all night long!�

In a world without music there would be no dancing in the streets. There would be no singing, there would be no love songs, there would be no crooning, no jamming, no spontaneous improvisation. There would be no melody or harmony. On road trips you wouldn’t roll down the windows and sing your heart out. That’s like my favorite thing to do.

Art is human emotion.

Continue reading "The Stars Come Out On Sesame Street - Part Deux" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:16 PM | Permalink

The Rebirth of the Americana Jug Train

Any time you get more than 2 of Knoxville’s up and coming Troubadours in one room at a time, a few things must be understood. The first being that you should make sure your insurance premiums are paid up in full. Next, make sure that there are no combustible materials in the room. Finally, to ensure the safety of all parties involved, place two cases of PBR in the green room and just walk away.

This Friday, September 1st, six of Knoxville’s hardest working acoustic performers will join each other on one stage at Patrick Sullivan’s. The Ballroom stage will be filled to the brim with the likes of Michael Davis and Mat Foster from Medford’s Black Record Collection, Brendon James Wright, John Puckett, Roman Reese, and me--Jon Worley.

Medford's Black Record Collection

Continue reading "The Rebirth of the Americana Jug Train" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 25, 2006

The Great Race

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!

The very first Downtown Knoxville Bike Race and Scavenger Hunt rolls onto Market Square on Monday, August 28th.

Bring your bike, grab a map, pick your course and you're off on a wild journey through downtown Knoxville. As you travel merrily along your specific path, you'll be challenged to accomplish certain "tasks of wonder and intellect." If you succeed, you'll receive a stamp (or maybe even a gold star) and be sent on your way to another task.

Event organizers have assured the 520 Gang (none of whom look good in Spandex) that this is more of a fun event, rather than a serious ride. Think more Monty Python and less Lance Armstrong!

All you need to do is show up with your bike on Market Square at 7pm on Monday to join in what is sure to be one of the weirdest nights in Knoxville!

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:00 AM | Permalink

August 22, 2006

Fiesta de Las Americas

Come Celebrate Latin Style!

Latin American Festivities:

FiestaRitmo presents Fiesta de Las Americas this Saturday, August 26 from 4 to 10 p.m. in Market Square.

Fiesta de Las Americas will feature:

Ascendencia Musical de Durango

Willie Crespo y Salsarengue
Angel
DJ Fiesta Chiguagua
DJ Milton

Y Hay Mas!
Get your heart racing and your hips swaying at these Latin dance nights hosted by Fiesta Ritmo:

Fiesta Ritmo de Latinoamerica with DJ Milton (el Salvador) at The Fairbanks
Salsa, Merengue, Regge, Bachata, Cumbia and Latin house
10 pm ~ $10 at the door

DJ Milton

Fiesta Reggaeton at The Fairbanks
Every Saturday
11 p.m. ~ $10 at the door.
Ladies free until Midnight

And Theatre Too!
Ballet Folklórico de Mexico de Amelia Hernandez at the Tennessee Theatre 10/05/2006

Ballet Folklórico de Mexico de Amelia Hernandez

Amalia Hernandez

Continue reading "Fiesta de Las Americas" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 6:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Songwriters Showcase

Introducing the Knoxville 520 Podcasting team (also known as the "Pod Pair")

Greg Wood & Julia Marino

Read on more for more podcasts and interviews with Preservation Pub Showcase regulars Rose Hawley, Hurricane Dennis, Roman Reese, Medford Black Record Collection, Jon Worley and Nintendo RULES.

Continue reading "Songwriters Showcase" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 1:31 AM | Permalink

August 21, 2006

Magical Mucklewain Memories

There's just something about live music in wide open spaces that makes people feel good.

There's also something about seeing 33 fantastic musical acts for thirty bucks that makes you feel a little guilty.

Last Saturday's Mucklewain Southern American Rock Festival brought several thousand people all the way out to Whicker Park, beautifully situated in the middle of nowhere--I mean, Harriman.

Continue reading "Magical Mucklewain Memories" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 4:24 PM | Permalink

August 18, 2006

Wanna work for 520?

Thanks for your fabulous support of the new Knoxville520.com!

Because of you, we are growing fast and already need additional help to stay the most current and comprehensive entertainment site in Knoxville.

If you answer "yes" to the majority of these questions, you could be our next Intern!

*Do you have passion for local bands, theatres, clubs, events, etc.?
*Do you have knowledge of computer-type things like Photoshop, podcasting, basic HTML,etc.?
*Are you outgoing? Do you feel comfortable talking to local and visiting musicians about their work?
*Are you a good writer?
*Do you have a flexible schedule that could include 20-35 hours a week working for 520?
*Are you planning on living in Knoxville for at least 6 months?
*Are you OK with going to bars/clubs?
*Are you a reliable and independent worker?
*Is your favorite color green?

If you think you fit our requirements, let us know right away!

The 520 Gang

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:51 PM | Permalink

Battle of the Bands: Doreen of the KSC recounts

Fifteen bands have competed. The first round was July 30th, with Vinyl Season, Human Fuse,
The Aftermath, Quadrilateral, Confessions of Ares, Hearts Catch Fire, and The Bride/Frontline of Champion Hill. Those that came to the Battle of the Bands were asked to vote for the four bands they wanted to see advance.

Continue reading "Battle of the Bands: Doreen of the KSC recounts" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 1:34 PM | Permalink

Moments of genius

"Improvisational comedy is where one or more performers present unscripted material, such as games, scenes, monologues, musical montages, what-have-you, before an audience; usually basing this material on suggestions received from the audience."
--Einstein Simplified

One of the things that makes being on stage so cool is that it is the only place where everything happens entirely in the present. No matter when in time the plot is set, the action is always happening right now. This convention presents an age-old challenge for the performer: How do you rehearse & rehearse to the point of memorization and still appear fresh and alive to the audience?

Continue reading "Moments of genius" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Mucklewain Southern American Rock Festival

There's plenty of stuff already written about tomorrow's bad-ass, day-long, crazy-named music festival in Harriman, so we'll wait to cover it while we're there.

We mainly want to make sure you know it's happening! So, here're a few Web sites to check out if you still need to get tickets, need info about what to bring, etc.

Mucklewain Official Site

Ticket Advantage Site (get yours online through Friday, Aug. 18)

We're going to be at Whicker Park bright and early with our t-shirts, bumper stickers and email address forms. The good folks at 90.3 The Rock have agreed to let us share a corner of their table! How cool are they?

Continue reading "Mucklewain Southern American Rock Festival" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

VEGOOSE!

AC Entertainment just announced a few of the additions to the VEGOOSE list of performers. Here they are:

Ben Folds
Mike Patton's Peeping Tom
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The Yard Dogs Road Show

MORE ARTISTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED!

.........

The initial line-up for VEGOOSE was announced this morning. We'll add artists to the list as they're confirmed. Here's the official press release from A.C.:

VEGOOSE IS BACK!

A.C. Entertainment and Superfly Presents are proud to announce the initial 2006 lineup for VEGOOSE.

The second annual installment of this dynamic entertainment experience will take place in Las Vegas over Halloween weekend at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29. Tickets for two-day passes to the event will go on sale Saturday, August 19 at 10 a.m. PST at www.vegoose.com.

Continue reading "VEGOOSE!" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:09 AM | Permalink

August 15, 2006

The Memory of Water

The current production at the Oak Ridge Playhouse features work by a playwright who has enjoyed wide acclaim in Britain, and is now finding an American audience.

Once an actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shelagh Stephenson realized that her true talent lay in writing. She began her charmed career as an author of many successful radio plays for the BBC including DARLING PEIDI, THE ANATOMICAL VENUS and FIVE KINDS OF SILENCE, which won the Writer's Guild Award (Best Radio Play) in 1997.

Continue reading "The Memory of Water" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:18 AM | Permalink

The Stars Come Out On Sesame Street

Note: This entry is Part 1 of a 2 part story.

When I was a kid in the eighties my parents took me to the public library almost every Saturday. Once inside the front door we split like atoms seeking our own independent information liberation. Ah yes, freedom smelled sweet. There was something about that smell...new books, fresh library cards, the stale, moldy effervescence of the Dewey Decimal Drawers. Every week was a different adventure into something undiscovered.

Continue reading "The Stars Come Out On Sesame Street" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

August 11, 2006

Blind Boys of Alabama

The Blind Boys of Alabama are living musical legends that will grace the stage at tonight's Bijou Theatre performance. Knoxvillians will have to opportunity to bask in the glory of the Grammy-winning, gospel-based harmonies that have entertained and inspired audiences for over 60 years.

Continue reading "Blind Boys of Alabama" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:10 PM | Permalink

Fiona Gets Us Back

Fiona Apple and opener David (pronounced Daveed) Garza made quite an impression last Saturday, August 5 at the dazzling Tennessee Theatre. The beautiful environment within the theatre – tall Technicolor terraces and ceilings and a spacious stage draped in velvet) paired with an intense yet soft set of music made for an unforgettable evening. Garza was like a siren. And Fiona just has this indescribable way about her.

Continue reading "Fiona Gets Us Back" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 11:00 AM | Permalink

August 8, 2006

The Everybodyfields

"I think God is a moonshiner
His skin is gold from the whiskey in his blood
I think in heaven there is a barroom
A place where the men go to forget about their wives…"

The everybodyfields will inspire Knoxville once again on August 24th at Blue Cats.

Continue reading "The Everybodyfields" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 1:32 PM | Permalink

Getting Some Strange

Regardless of how comfortable the warmth of familiarity can be in a world of change and turmoil, it’s difficult to keep our sensual beings satisfied if we keep dipping into the same old well. I suppose there’s much to be said for making a commitment and sticking to that commitment, but when there’s so much beauty in the world it seems a damned shame not to break the monotony and get some strange.

Continue reading "Getting Some Strange" »

Posted by Dennis Perkins at 1:22 PM | Permalink

Tom Waits makes you feel cool

Fourteen year olds are weird. There's no denying that. I'm also fairly certain that teenagers with artistic tendancies are even weirder than those destined for the corporate world. At least I was.

Like most teens, I felt the pre-programmed need to assert my independence. I tried all sorts of "cool" ways to be independent like shaving a checkerboard pattern into my hair, dying it pink (with a green tail) and wearing safety pins in my ears. Although I looked cool (really, I did), I still felt awkward. I experimented with all sorts of things that could potentially make me hip: smoking, drugs, making out with punk rock boys.

Nothing worked.

Continue reading "Tom Waits makes you feel cool" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 4, 2006

Extraordinary Machine

This year’s tour, supported and opened by singer David Garza, will be in celebration of Fiona Apple's long-awaited third album – Extraordinary Machine, proving just how "extraordinary" this young artist is. Expect a healthy dose of tracks from Extraordinary Machine and a few surprise covers, as well as the captivating sounds of Garza. Beside being extraordinary, Fiona is also a gutsy gal. A feature in Rolling Stone described Fiona as saying how “being involved in planning a tour is too nerve-racking� and so is now “taking the hands-off approach for her summer trek by not even planning her own set list.�

Continue reading "Extraordinary Machine" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 11:21 AM | Permalink

August 1, 2006

Market Square Live!

Knoxvillians are junkies for live outdoor music.

Even when it's 4,000 degrees Farenheit, we're perfectly willing to stand for 4 hours on the hot concrete of Market Square with only saplings for shade in order to get our outdoor concert fix. We're hooked.

Continue reading "Market Square Live!" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:54 AM | Permalink

Cold Hands Heats up the Crowd

“Cold hands, warm hearts,� jokes Henry Gibson, singer and bassist for Cold Hands, the local rock-act recently signed to indie label, New Beat Records. Perhaps it's charmingly cliché, but this newly-coined phrase holds quiet true to this dance rock trio. Within all of that guitar-driven edge and frustration, these guys have a lot of heart.

And in the style of New York City’s shimmer-rock scene, their music has a way of heating up the stage and bringing a room alive with waves of dancing and crazy sing-along.

Land, Bowman and Gibson play an edgy sound unique to the Knoxville music scene.

Continue reading "Cold Hands Heats up the Crowd" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 10:06 AM | Permalink

July 28, 2006

Get Some Summer Lovin'

As requested by some of our readers, the 520 Gang as compiled some ideas to help you knock the socks off your date. Here are some of our suggestions for one hot weekend, whether it's you first date or your 10th anniversary:

Continue reading "Get Some Summer Lovin'" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 3:47 PM | Permalink

July 25, 2006

Jon Worley: Diary of a Folk Musician

Knoxvillian’s historically have had a rough time coming to grips with the culture that takes root underneath its own nose. Roy Acuff said it best, “Knoxville is a great place to come from, but a real shitty place to die.� All we need do is look back on the last 15 or so years and ask ourselves what happened to all the great Knoxville bands. The V-Roys, the Judy Bats, Super Drag, Left Foot Down, to name a few, have gone through the process of honing their musical chops on what I consider to be the hardest circuit in the Southeast, only to be ground on down by the leftover lingering doubts and strife that washes over musicians from Knoxville.

Continue reading "Jon Worley: Diary of a Folk Musician" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 4:25 PM | Permalink

Come On Get Sassy

“Every time you come, you can create your own story," muses bookie and DJ extraordinaire Tara about Sassy Ann’s, a blues house disguised as a haunted Victorian house hidden in a pocket of the Fourth and Gill neighborhood. Tara, a young tall woman sporting oversized sunglasses, has been booking bands for the blues bar for months now, scheduling a number of regional Blues artists, and most recently, rock bands such as Noisufusion, Black Sarah and Cold Hands.

Continue reading "Come On Get Sassy" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 9:59 AM | Permalink

July 21, 2006

The Heartbreaker sells out

If you missed getting tickets, I really can't help you with the Sold Out situation for the Ryan Adams show at the Bijou on Tuesday, but I can help distract you with a little bit of trivia about the Grammy-nominated artist.

So...throw a little Gold on the CD player, grab a High Life and some smokes and take a little tour of the life of Ryan Adams--it's almost as fun as seeing him live (well, not really).

*He is NOT Bryan Adams--although they do share a birthday and in some photos, they have almost the same hairdo.

Continue reading "The Heartbreaker sells out" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Put Those Dancin' Shoes On!

Whether you are a salsa, swing, hip hop, belly or 'anything goes' kind of dancer, Knoxville hosts a number of venues to satisfy anyone’s dance craving. This list of sizzling hot spots will get you hoppin’ and “happy in the feetzies� until the sun comes up. So come on all you movers and shakers, put those dancin’ shoes on and venture out to one or all of Knoxville’s favorite spots to move your hips.

Continue reading "Put Those Dancin' Shoes On!" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 9:23 AM | Permalink

July 18, 2006

Guster & Ray LaMontagne at the Tennessee

This Thursday, July 20th Knoxville welcomes the poppy goodness of Guster along with the captivating Ray LaMontagne to the Tennessee Theatre.

Guster

Continue reading "Guster & Ray LaMontagne at the Tennessee" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:48 PM | Permalink

July 17, 2006

Preservation Pub, Oodles, World Grotto & Earth to Old City

The function of Knoxville520.com is not to play Journalist, but rather to keep you up-to-date on entertainment and events that affect how you spend your evenings.

Sunday's raid on favorite Market Square establishments belonging to Scott & Bernadette West could definitely have an impact on your social agenda!

Continue reading "Preservation Pub, Oodles, World Grotto & Earth to Old City" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:38 AM | Permalink

July 14, 2006

"One Leg Up" Gypsy Jazz

Steve Wildsmith of the Maryville Daily Times (and one of my favorite local writers) has a nice piece about One Leg Up--an East Tennessee Jazz Society event taking place at Cha Cha this Sunday, July 16th. Just thought you'd like to know!

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:17 AM | Permalink

Read about Joe's adventures as "Hedwig" in The Actors Co-op's HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH at the Black Box Theatre.

Learn what else is shaking on Knoxville stages at Joe's theatre blog.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:14 AM | Permalink

July 13, 2006

A bar, a bed and a $350 martini

Downtown on Gay Street, a classy, mellow joint named Sapphire serves up strong drinks in a soft, musical atmosphere. Venturing to this bar is a rather unique experience, being the only venue in East Tennessee to serve the Russian-imported Ikon Vodka, as well as furnish a plush, blue bed in the corner.

Continue reading "A bar, a bed and a $350 martini" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

All of Knoxville's a stage

This is a big fat weekend on the Knoxville theatre scene with the opening of not one, but 3 major productions split between the Actors Co-op Theatre Company and the Tennessee Stage Company.

The Actors Co-op is getting back to its cutting-edge roots (yea!) with their bold season opener, HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH. This popular rock musical about a would-be rock star who names her band "The Angry Inch" after the remnants of her botched sex-change, officially opens Friday, July 14th for a four-week run at the Black Box Theatre.

Continue reading "All of Knoxville's a stage" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:35 AM | Permalink

July 12, 2006

Secret Gossip

Don't let the name fool you--Secret Gossip is anything but quiet, cagey or covert (how's that for alliteration?). This Nashville funk band comes at you with a full arsenal of horns, percussion and tight vocal harmonies.

I've seen them perform a number of times here in Knoxville and I'm always impressed that a bunch of well-trained musicians can let loose the way they do. Their sound is anything but reckless, though. The driving bass lines and precise horn riffs bring to mind the impeccable groove of Steely Dan and make you want to shake your Bodhisattva on the dancefloor.

Go check out Secret Gossip this Saturday night at the Preservation Pub. Their original material is melodically catchy and lyrically witty--although the last time I saw them, the sound sucked and I missed most of their words. Surely this band doesn't intend to be quite that secret. Gossip is no fun if you can't hear it!

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:48 PM | Permalink

July 10, 2006

Play it out West, Sam!

Inside Stir Fry Turkey Creek

Anyone living in West Knoxville or Farragut has undoubtedly been faced with the dilemma:

"When I want good live entertainment, do I journey all the way downtown and risk driving back to 'East Nashville' after a couple adult beverages, or do I just stay safely this side of the Pellissippi Parkway?"

Continue reading "Play it out West, Sam!" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:41 AM | Permalink

July 5, 2006

Jamie Cullum at the Bijou

This Friday night July 6th, British musician Jamie Cullum will be bringing his own brand of jazz-pop to the Bijou Theatre to promote his latest album, Catching Tales.

As with his past albums Pointless Nostalgic (2002) and Twentysomething (2003), his latest release works to bridge the gap between multiple genres of music. With his sultry Sinatra/Connick/Buble-style voice, his takes on the Great American Songbook make you swoon. But Cullum's not simply just another pretty baritone (however he is easy on the eyes!).

He is firmly rooted in jazz, but he tends to blur the lines between pop, hip hop, blues and funk--especially with his original pieces--by combining percussive rhythms, interesting melodies and often gritty lyrics. His ability to create a musical world where all genres play intelligently well with others is an exciting aural treat!

"At first I didn't think certain songs had a place in what I was doing with jazz, but I've realized that everything does, and that reaffirms my belief that jazz is the greatest platform to do whatever you want."

His cover of Jimi Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary" proves that perfectly.

"The way I like to approach music is to mix things round and, fortunately, I like to mix it with things that people find a bit more familiar. I love pop music so I mix jazz and pop music. Not because I want to make it accessible but because it’s music that I enjoy. I guess I've just got an angle on it that people find a bit more interesting."

Jamie Cullum is sure to live up to his reputation for witty, high-energy performances this Friday at the Bijou. Get your tickets if you don't have them already and we'll see you at the show!

Click here for more information about Jamie Cullum and his music.

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:29 AM | Permalink

July 4, 2006

Stick your nose in it

The truth of the matter is that the wine thing is way out of hand. It must be or else I wouldn’t have witnessed him, whom I took to be a frat boy, swirling and sniffing a goblet of wine late on a Friday night. Maybe he was drunk and trying to look like he wasn’t: I don’t know. Still, I wondered if he really knew what he was doing because though he had most of the right wine tasting moves down, he had his hand on the bowl of the glass and he was sniffing, almost daintily, above the rim of the glass. Tsk Tsk. That simply won’t do.

Continue reading "Stick your nose in it" »

Posted by Dennis Perkins at 6:54 PM | Permalink

June 30, 2006

A Fab Fourth

In addition to your standard fireworks fare, such as the Festival on the Fourth, East Tennessee offers up some more unique ways to honor the tenacity of our rebel forefathers. Come on! Show your independence and try one of these activities this weekend:

July 1: Hispanic Rodeo at Chilhowee Park, 3:00-9:00pm (info @ 770.861.8830)
July 1-2: The Three Rivers Rambler train rides, 2:00pm and 5:00pm
July 3: WDVX Blue Plate Special featuring Lewis Rikeman and Katy Wolfe Zahn , 12:00pm
July 4: Museum of Appalachia Annual Anvil Shoot, various times between 8:00am-8:00pm

For additional ideas, check out Randall Brown's suggestions or Steve Wildsmith's blog.

Get out and enjoy the weekend!

Posted by the 520 gang at 10:43 AM | Permalink

June 28, 2006

Dance Like No One is Watching (or The Rhythm is Gonna Get You)

I realized something at Bonnaroo. The revelation had been arriving for a while, but it really hit me in the 90-degree heat of midsummer while sharing personal space with 80,000-plus people in a 700-acre cow pasture. My epiphany? I dance. I can’t not dance. Stand me in front of live music, and I move instinctively, uncontrollably, even sometimes to music I don’t even like. (Dancing while seated is more difficult but not impossible.)

Continue reading "Dance Like No One is Watching (or The Rhythm is Gonna Get You)" »

Posted by Paige Travis at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 26, 2006

Hey you...wanna blog?

520 is looking for local folks to share experiences, observations, photos and insights about the Knoxville entertainment scene.

The subject is up to you--maybe you've got a band going on tour this summer or you're about to record your first CD or you're just damned excited about Alice Cooper coming to town--people wanna hear what you have to say. Seriously.

Send us an email at knoxville520@gmail.com and we'll get you started!

The 520 Gang

Posted by the 520 gang at 5:02 PM | Permalink

June 23, 2006

The Roller Girls need you...and your logo

The Hard Knox Roller Girls are looking for something new and want you to give it to 'em!

Design a logo for the HKRG and become the darling of the toughest babes in Knoxville.

Plus, you'll get all this neato stuff:
*Your logo placed on all HKRG stuff and on their website
*Free passes to the first season of the roller derby
*A t-shirt featuring your logo
*A 1/8 - page ad in the official program for the debut bout
*Fame, fortune and the admiration of the HKRG
(sorry...handcuffs and fishnets are reserved for another contest.)

Design requirements and rules: Must include "Hard Knox Roller Girls" text. Logo design should be submitted in black & white but should have a color option. All entries must be received at tattoojay@hotmail.com by June 27th. Enter as often as you like.

Winner will be announced at the June 30th HKRG "Skate the Casbah" Fundraiser @ Blue Cats.

Continue reading "The Roller Girls need you...and your logo" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:23 AM | Permalink

June 21, 2006

To Hoot or not to Hoot?

Whether you wanna join in the rough, noisy fun of the Honda Hoot activities or you'd rather avoid the 16,000-plus visiting bikers, here are our picks for area Honda/Hog-friendly activities:

Wednesday, June 21
-Fire in the Sky: fireworks at World's Fair Park, 9:30pm
-Medford's Black Record Collection: Backroom BBQ, 10:00pm

Thursday, June 22
-Jenna & the Joneses: Coyote Joe's, 9:00pm
-Stewart Pack & the Royal Treatment: Barley's Taproom, 9:00pm

Friday, June 23
-Zoso (Led Zepplin Tribute): Blue Cats, 9:00pm
-The Natti Lovejoys: The World Grotto, 10:00pm

Saturday, June 24
-Saturday Night on the Town: Gay Street
-Americana Night: The Corner Lounge, 9:00pm

Drive carefully, y'all!

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:08 PM | Permalink

June 20, 2006

Philaroo phelicitations

I wanted to personally (and publicly) thank Phil Pollard for his live updates from Bonnaroo, which many of you read over the past weekend. I also wanted to congratulate him on his performance at the festival with the Band of Humans, which has already caused a stir on KnoxBlab and other local sites.

Continue reading "Philaroo phelicitations" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 19, 2006

Everybody is home

The shantytown (Knoxvilla) came down Sunday morning in a slight drizzle. It was enough rain to make us thankful for the beautiful weather we did have over the weekend.

Everybody is home, and I even made it home in time for Father's Day.

Continue reading "Everybody is home" »

Posted by Phil Pollard at 6:45 PM | Permalink

June 18, 2006

Philaroo Entry 1, Day 3

Last night was amazing--so amazing it lasted until about 7:00 this morning.

Continue reading "Philaroo Entry 1, Day 3" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 17, 2006

Philaroo Entry 2, Day 3

Countdown to the Human Show

It's about 4:30pm CBT (Central Bonnaroo Time) and VERY hot! Had many people stop by the shantytown to pat our backs and wish us a good show. The Knoxvillians here (and there) are totally supportive and giving of their good vibes.

Continue reading "Philaroo Entry 2, Day 3" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 5:36 PM | Permalink

Philaroo Entry 1, Day 3

Mornin', everybody.

We've got a nice breeze this morning in middle Tennessee and not quite as hot as yesterday. Even though the weather was steamy, we spent yesterday stirring up some Knoxville pride at the Robinella and the Hector Qirko shows. Both bands had great crowds who seemed to dig what they were a-playin'.

Continue reading "Philaroo Entry 1, Day 3" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:44 AM | Permalink

Philaroo Entry 2, Day 2

OK, Knoxvillians...it's late and I've been remiss in my blogging duties this evening. The line at the Internet Tent is obscene. Must be the air conditioning inside.

Continue reading "Philaroo Entry 2, Day 2" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 2:45 AM | Permalink

June 16, 2006

Philaroo Entry 1, Day 2

Good Mornin' Knoxville!

Here's the latest installment of the Life and Times of Phil Pollard at Bonnaroo:

We've now spent our first night in our festival shantytown. The whole thing managed to stay put together pretty well, as did the people who slept there. We all got up just fine this morning ready for another day of music and whatever else comes along.

Continue reading "Philaroo Entry 1, Day 2" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:15 PM | Permalink

June 15, 2006

Philaroo Entry 2, Day 1

The caravan made it to Bonnaroo Country in one piece--8 pieces, actually--which is what we had to begin with. It's about 5:51pm and we're finally out here. Geol and I just shared a beautiful moment: our first ever Bonnaroo outhouse experience. And by "shared", I mean...um...

Continue reading "Philaroo Entry 2, Day 1" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 6:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Philaroo Entry 1, Day 1

Perhaps the most mind-blowing occurance thusfar is the fact that the Bonnaroo Caravan of performers from Band of Humans, Mitch Rutman Group and artvandalay left exactly when we said we would. Not a moment sooner, nor later, than 11:00am. We also left from exactly where we said we would. Not a block closer, nor further, from Pick 'n' Grin. Very promising.

Continue reading "Philaroo Entry 1, Day 1" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 5:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Philaroo

Ye gods! It's finally here! This is the weekend we've all been waiting for. Bonnaroo 2006. (I'm just glad that knoxville520 made it out into the world in time for the event of the year! Whew!)

We're celebrating our arrival on the entertainment scene by providing live updates from Bonnaroo. Knoxville520 is offering an exciting new twist on the live blogging concept we're calling, "Philaroo: Bonnaroo through the eyes of a Human."

The Band of Humans, that is.

Continue reading "Philaroo" »

Posted by Sara Schwabe at 2:30 PM | Permalink

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