Breaking-up/Making-up

The onset of summer '98 is working some strange, contentious mojo on local musicians, it would seem, as members of several bands are calling it quits.

In at least two instances, though, a new band has arisen in the wake of the break-ups. One such is the Blue 88s. According to singer-guitarist Todd Ethridge (whom you may remember from several popular area bands, including metal heroes the Innocent Ones back in the late 1980s and heavy alterna-rockers Sandbox in the early '90s), his most recent project, modern rock trio Big Idea, split amicably ("we're all still friends"). Ethridge and drummer Joel Stooksbury (who you may remember from goth-rock faves Immortal Chorus, as well) will continue working together with bassist Larry Brady in the 88s.

It would seem that Brady, best-known around Knoxville for his work with the late Pegclimber, also saw his latest band Pop Zero go the way of the Edsel. Ethridge describes the new collaboration as "aggressive and up tempo, a little like Jawbox," with shades of several of the aforementioned now-defunct bands' sounds. "Joel and I were tired of the melancholy thing we were doing in Big Idea," Ethridge explains. "Our songs got too low-key and moody. This new thing will be a little more upbeat."

In the meantime, The Plastics have split and reformed like some strange amoebae. According to Nathan Mitchell, Seth Severns has moved to the Windy City (maybe to be with former Metro Pulse music editor Shelly Ridenour?) to pursue other interests. But, as seems to be de rigeur, a new band has formed from the wreckage. Well, not that new of a band. Mustard has returned like a dog to its vomit with Chris Cook, Mitchell, and Paul Turpin revisiting old ground. Mustard will open for Dylan Hicks at The Neptune on June 11.

In sadder news, local punksters Torture Kitty is calling it quits. John Sewell says, "This is an amicable split which I attribute to our collective impending adulthood." Gotta hate it when that happens. In the three years that TK was together, they released an album, an EP, appeared on five compilation albums, and played at over 125 shows. Not too shabby at all. Their farewell extravaganza will be at The Neptune on July 11. Lawnboy will open and all ages are welcome.

Sorry, Kids

Call it alternative, call it metal, call it grunge—it's still just a bunch of guys who want to be Black Sabbath as far as Zippy's concerned. MTV buzz bin bands of the moment Creed and Fuel recently canceled a show which had been scheduled with AC Entertainment for June 4 at the Civic Coliseum. Apparently one of the all-important big summer radio festivals came calling, and the Knoxville show was seen as a sustainable loss. Ashley Capps is trying to reschedule, but you know how rock stars can be. New York-based representatives for Windup Entertainment spurned an opportunity to comment to this Knoxville weekly.

Local CD Review

Copper Sun
The Little Valley Variety Show

Alcoa's Copper Sun plays the kind of folksy, groovy light funk associated with Dave Matthews et al—in other words, rhythmic strumming, stinging guitar licks, shuffling drums, and popping bass. They do it passably well but suffer from the weaknesses of the genre, most notably a lack of strong melodies. Most of the 10 songs on this self-produced CD start out pleasantly but don't particularly go anywhere. Mac Bartine's vocals are capable, but rely too much on the whiny voice-cracking that's become endemic in modern pop (Matthews, Rusted Root, etc.). His—and the band's—strong point is in the lyric department. It's nice to hear some imaginative and amusing songwriting from a local ensemble. Take "Unbearable Predicament," for example, a lament for a misplaced bag of weed, or "Yankee Type Women," in which the good ol' boy protagonist throws an uppity Northerner into his Chevelle, hauls her north to the Mason-Dixon line, and dumps her. If the rest of Copper Sun could match Bartine's bon mots, they'd be on to something. (And no, "The Dreaming" isn't a cover of the Kate Bush classic; that would have been interesting to hear.)

Whither New Rock?

In the last issue, (you know, the one you used as an umbrella during Sunday night's storm), we reported on New Rock 90's decision to ax its nonstudent DJs. Promotions co-director Brian Sherry felt the need to respond. We found his shameless plug somehow compelling and had to share it with the rest of the world, if only in the blind hope that someone out there can come up with a better moniker for the station than the 90.3 brain trust has suggested.

Writes Sherry: "You will not have to find a new place to hear Modest Mouse and Sleater-Kinney (two of the more 'mainstream' bands we happen to play) when all nonstudent DJs are 86'd by the beginning of the fall semester. True, we'll lose a couple of all-stars we'd rather not (Cap'n Jim, Bacchus, and Club 90), but outside of those, losses will be minimal. It's time to start looking within the University for students that will take over the ranks as Knoxville's only somewhat uninhibited DJs. We know there are students out there that don't stand for the spoon-fed repetition found elsewhere.

"So, whereas a select few are worried about the demise of 'the last one left,' a small group of students struggle to continue the plight of college radio in Knoxville. Inexperience is a problem right now for some on-air DJs, but that's why there are music directors. Although they don't have to be the gatekeeper most fear being, music directors can be the tour guides, making sure new DJs playlists don't stray from the commitment UT 90.3 has to the University and the surrounding community.

"If you are a part of the University as a student or teacher and have an interest in good radio not heard anywhere else, please contact the station at 974-2229. And if you're a music-savvy nonstudent, count your pennies and join the fight: Audit a class!

"PS: Whoops! I let it slip. That's right—WUTK (New Rock 90) is changing its name (and only its NAME, not the music as once feared). We reached a roadblock in discussions but UT 90.3 might be the breadwinner. We'll know for sure in August. We've decided to drop New Rock because of its blatant misuse as a buzz word of sorts by 94.3 the Planet. Besides, we've noticed New Rock seems to have a little bit of bad kharma attached to it. So, we'll turn to something University-oriented...and show our true colors instead of a ghastly heavy metal green and black that's outdated and somewhat obtrusive. If you have a suggestion, feel free to e-mail [email protected]. utk.edu or call the station."

—Zippy "Bad Kharma Attached" McDuff