Schmooze-a-Rama

Knoxville bands take note—the 2nd annual Atlantis Music Conference is being held in Atlanta's "eclectic, trend setting" Little Five Points/Virginia Highlands area from August 11-14. Last year's events were apparently a large success, with nine of the showcased bands brandishing new recording contracts (including such recognized acts as Billionaire and Hobex of London Records, and MK Ultra of MCA Records).

Aside from giving an unrecognized act a chance to be heard by record agents, you and your crazy rock 'n' roll friends may also enjoy Atlantis' recreational excursions, including a "roundtable mentor program," the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field, and, if you think you've got enough steam left, a golf tournament at Stone Mountain. Band submission for the conference is $20, and April 1 is the deadline. You may reach Atlantis at (770) 499-8600 or visit the cyberspace headquarters at www.altantismusic.com.

Local CD Review

Beeswax
Use Your Confusion (will be released March 12)

There is absolutely no way around it: Beeswax's Use Your Confusion is completely derivative of Pavement. Everything from the guitars to the song structure to the vocal delivery to the slacker disdain to the album cover—everything echoes California's indie rock heroes. Even when they sound like some other band, they still sound sort of like Pavement.

Which is not at all to say that's bad, or that there isn't something novel lurking in its depths.

Leader/songwriter Todd Stapleton's voice isn't as smooth as Pavement's maestro, Stephen Malkmus. But Stapleton's vocal sneers and earnest yearnings are just as effective, and he is less pretentious, more the average joe. While Pavement often leans toward the cryptic or nonsensical or impressionistic, Beeswax favors goofy narrative.

Consider the bouncy "Cocktail Waitress," about the crush a regular has: I'm in the love with the cocktail waitress, she could be everything within my reach. I love her so, she gives it all to me: Fuzzy navel French kiss and sex on the beach. She's beautiful and very well endowed, the greatest girl in town, and I always get so plowed...Is it the girl or the drinks that she brings?

Despite its imitation, Beeswax manages to work some magic, because the band has an honest heart, and energy.

"F—k the Unf—kable" is a glorious kiss-off to the "unreliable, the egotistical...the unoriginal, the unbelievable." Clocking in at 1:23, it carries so much punch, you wonder if the band needs to say anything else.

Most of the subjects aren't particularly original. We get the obligatory wistful, low self-esteem, just-give-it-all-up songs, like "Laying Out to Pasture," where Stapleton wants to hide from the world: Sometimes I feel like I am falling so appalling don't come calling....just leave me be; which Stapleton and guitarist Gray Comer frame with their drowsy guitars. This is followed by a juvenile screw-you, "He with Translucent Traits": I don't like your sort and don't even retort, which flows into the chant of I don't even care/ I don't even care/ I don't even care...

It's pretty standard stuff, but it's distinguished by its sincerity, and that is no small thing. Sure it's imitation. But Stapleton knocks these songs off so damn well, there just has to be something brilliantly original lurking inside his head. I can't wait to hear it.

Check This Action

Thursday: Cream at Gallery 1010. Southern artists Laura Baldree and Laurel Kiewitt explore their fetishes for cult film stars like Mink Stole and eroticized fruit using the mediums of oil paint, metal sculptures, and ceramics. The equally eroticized band Dreamwhip will provide tunes for your aural pleasure.

Friday: Blue Mother Tupelo at Sassy Ann's. These dreary spring days have got me thinkin' about the hot, sultry nights of summer. And this is the band to provide the dreamy blue soundtrack.

Saturday: Paddy O'Brien and Chulrua at Laurel Theatre. St. Patrick's day is creeping upon us once again. Festoon yourself with the green and head to this traditional concert of the sounds of the Emerald Isle.

Sunday: Gasurbaflitz at The Tomato Head. The effing piebald fruitcake puppet theater presents a puppet show, which, honestly, defies description. It'll be weird, wild, space-opera fun.

Monday: The 6th Annual Mask Show at The Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalists Church. If you missed it in its previous hanging at The Tomato Head, check it out here. Each mask hints at delicate layers of the subconscious—some more delicate than others.

Tuesday: Mixed Signals at Border's Books and Music. Imported kick-butt improvisational theatre—you know, like Who's Line Is It Anyway?

Wednesday: Pictou at Bird's Eye View. Grab your shillelagh and haul your shamrocks to this Celtic/Irish combo. Perhaps some green beer can be had as well.

—Zippy "Use Your Delusion" McDuff