Five Or Six, Give Or Take

A lineup change by Knoxville's premier ska-core band, Johnny 5 has brought a veteran Knoxville punker out of semi-retirement. The departure of guitarist Micah Wells left a space in the ranks of the '5, which was filled by Tony Johnson, formerly of American Trust, one of Knoxville's longest-running and most revered punk outfits. "Micah is going off to school, so we talked to Tony and he was up for it," says bassist and founding member Jason York. The revitalized Johnny 5 will play their first show with Johnson at Lava Lounge on June 7, opening for Discount along with Ground 9.

The band plans to start anew with the lineup, leaving behind a full-length album that will probably never be released. "Basically, we kind of got screwed over on the deal with the CD we recorded last year," says York. "So we're gonna wait until Tony gets used to everything and has contributed a few songs of his own." Johnny 5, which actually features six members at this point, hopes to do some regional touring this summer and possibly release some material on their own label.

Simply Amazing

There's nothing Zippy doesn't like more than simple, down-home country entertainment presented with all the production values of a Reno floor show—and that's why I'm so darn excited about the new summer season in Pigeon Forge. As we all know, this mountainside tourist magnet has become Tennessee's entertainment Mecca. Nashville? Memphis? Bah! Does Music Row have bungee jumping? Can you find a single half-way decent funnel cake anywhere on Beale Street? Hell no!

Thus, every year it is with great anticipation that I await the official Pigeon Forge press release announcing the new line-up of summer attractions. Last week, this prized document was hand-delivered to the Metro Pulse offices, allowing us privileged media types an insider's look at all the new shows. Since I can't bear to keep this volatile information secret for much longer, I share it with you now.

First, the highlights: New this year is "Elwood Smooch's Hillbilly Hoedown" in the former location of the Tennessee Music Theatre (is it any wonder why such an unimaginatively named performance space went out of business?). Promising to be a fast-paced variety show for the entire family, famed Smooch creator Billy Baker amazingly "transforms into an entire community of offbeat characters, each with a unique personality and distinctive style of comedy." Could this be our own Chicago? Our own Rent? Let the out-of-town visitors decide!

Next, and most appealing to all you "Gen-Xers" out there, is the reuniting of the Krofft Puppets with a Mandrell sister at the Louise Mandrell Theater. Who doesn't have fond recollections of watching the Mandrell Sisters' variety TV show in the '70s as they humorously interacted with those zany Krofft Puppets? Hey, it's retro! And for anybody who thinks the Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction is already perfect, we've got news for you: It's even better this year! Yes, just as you're wrapping up your four-course meal, after already experiencing the incredible feats of horsemanship that are a Dixie Stampede signature, you will now marvel at the beautiful waltzing water fountains dancing in front of the Dixie Mansion. And if that weren't enough, "the performance is highlighted by an appearance of a 26-foot replica of Lady Liberty who graces the arena floor during the patriotic finale." Whoa nelly!

But I saved the best for last: the most fabulous news of all is the addition of the legendary Anita Bryant to Pigeon Forge's calvacade of stars! Yes, this is not a dream—it's reality. At the Music Mansion Theater—the area's largest theater, naturally—"internationally acclaimed" Anita Bryant will star in "Anita With Love," a musical stage show. I simply can't wait to see it—but considering her history of outspoken activism, perhaps she should rename the show "Anita With Love (Unless You're a Degenerate Homosexual)" or "Anita With Love—But Only If You're Straight Like Me."

Ah, that's entertainment—Pigeon Forge style!

Local CD o' The Week
Atombombpocketknife (Southern Records)

Okay, Atombombpocketknife doesn't exactly qualify as a local band anymore, since none of its members have resided hereabouts for nearly two years. But singer/guitar squaller/songwriter Justin Sinkovich started both this band and the now-defunct Thumbnail here in town, along with the short-lived and much-lamented Landspeed Records. Now relocated to Chicago, Sinkovich has turned his full attention to his one-time side project and put out a nifty eponymous EP on the indie imprint Southern Records. The trio—rounded out by bassist Allison Hollihan and former Thumbnail drummer David Burns—knocks out a half-dozen fuzz-filled rockers that balance Sinkovich's sweet voice and jagged six-string attack. The waves of noise are offset by waves of melody and a mature sense of dynamics. Not post-rock or punk rock, Atombombpocketknife aims for something more straightforward—call it rock rock. Nicely done, Justin.

Community Winners

Local community access TV programs cleaned up at the 1999 Southern Sunshine Video Festival, sponsored by the Southeastern Region (which includes seven states) of the Alliance for Community Media. All four shows took First Place in their respective categories and aired on CTV (Channel 12) within the past year.

And, the awards go to: ARK Second Monday (Michael Arvé, producer), First Baptist Deaf Service, Terra Nova Live (Melissa Brown, producer), and Thwack! (Wynn Thompson, producer). So check your local listings for more from these TV auteurs who provide an invaluable service to Knoxville's couch potatoes.

Must See in 3-D

Thursday: Danielle Howle and the Tantrums with Jodie Manross at Bird's Eye View. The sisters are doin' it for themselves. Thankfully, we get to watch.

Friday: The Nevers with Sugar Stick at Moose's. The Nevers are local boys done Nashville and their Brit-pop meets Appalachia sound is unique, fresh, and fun.

Saturday: The Kennedys at Bird's Eye View. This Rounder Records act "mixes jangle pop and contemporary pop to form a genre they've dubbed coffeehouse pop." And, hey, they're from Austin, so they must be cool.

Sunday: The Lamps of Tiffany at KMA. If you're like me, you always thought that Tiffany lamps were too gaudy to be cool. But, displayed the way they were intended, their true, astounding beauty is luminous.

Monday: Sarah Jordan at Michael's. Blues so blue they are almost indigo.

Tuesday: The Mumbillies at Barley's Taproom. Bluegrass so blue it's almost, uh, well, grass.

Wednesday: Open Mic at 11th Street Expresso House. Grab your beret and black turtleneck and expose your art.

—Zippy "Zippy With Love" McDuff