Put Up, Shut Up

with Feed at the Campus Pub

Heavy metal music isn't exactly the solitary reason that I get up every morning, but last Friday night at the Campus Pub I gave local thrashers Feed an opportunity to change my mind. Undeterred by the oppressive sauna-like conditions of that particularly hot evening, the five college-aged, long-haired boys of Feed stumbled into their set, opening with a song called "Vegetables," undoubtedly their creative high-point. The song utilized a stop-and-go accompaniment for the singer, who would shout the lyrics in between the thrash of the band. Much to my amazement, I was able to decipher one entire line in the midst of this chaos: "I don't eat no vegetables."

For what seemed like the next three hours, the band indulged in a full-throttle onslaught of meaningless, indecipherable thrash. "Trip," a song about "gettin' high," alleviated the redundancy—if not the lack of creativity—of the set with its psychedelic interludes. Still, never failing to be predictable, the singer pulled out a joint to share with the crowd during the song, and once the song was finished, Feed continued in playing what sounded like a long sonic nightmare, interrupted at determined intervals for the singer to babble something to the crowd.

With all that said, most people at the show actually seemed to enjoy—some even reveled—in Feed's non-confrontational, let's-have-a-good-time style of metal. Any act who knows how to work a crowd—any crowd—must be commended for it. That is, however, all I can commend Feed for.

Get a Job

Got good ears? Got a van? Got some electronic/mechanical skills? Then swampadelic rockers Blue Mother Tupelo have got the gig for you. This local outfit (who also play in both Nashville and Knoxville) is looking for a "dedicated, professional-minded sound engineer to accompany BMT at their live performances." The requirements are: a strong back and ears, a working knowledge of BMT or a dedication to learn, some kind of vehicle that could haul gear, a familiarity with mixing equipment, and a dedication to promptness and quality. You don't need to actually own sound equipment—BMT's already got it. If it sounds like what you've been itching for, contact the band at 615-826-1489 (which is in Hendersonville) or [email protected].

Hard Labor

Out of the ashes of Alicin's Journal, a phoenix called Pleuroma has emerged. The new band consists of AJ-ers Kevin Carson on vocals, Tré Berney on the skins, Phillip Burns on guitar, and Chad Rogers on bass. According to Burns, the sound of this new unit has morphed since the Journal days and we'll all get a chance to hear it when Pleuroma starts booking local shows before the millennium. Also, a CD is in the works as well.

Knox Artists Go Global! Sort of.

In the one small step for Knoxville department, we have rockers Galaxie, a funk/metal/ rock band who have developed a fan base by playing some pretty big gigs at Moose's Music Hall, who will be wowing the crowds at Atlanta's Atlantis Music Conference. This exposure should pave the way for even larger, global domination-type steps once national record executives get the chance to check 'em out, which will be on Thursday, August 12 at Nine Lives in Little Five Points, starting at 9 p.m.

Also, we've got some local visual artists paving the way for future greatness at Chattanooga's Hunter Museum of American Art's National Juried Exhibition. Felix R. Gaiter, Judi Gaston, Linda Modine, Kathy Seely, and Clark Stewart have work hanging on the Hunter walls even as we speak, and it shall remain there through August 29. The pieces were chosen by Richard Gruber, Deputy Director of the Morris Museum of Art, who will be on hand on August 5 to lecture and pass out some cash awards. Consider it the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes for artists.

Check This Action

Not the most exciting week K-town has seen lately, but there is still, certainly, plenty to keep our overheated minds in chill.Thursday: Boling, Brown, and Holloway at Baker-Peters Jazz Club. Sometimes, you just need to chill with an ice cold martini and some hot, smooth jazz from the masters of the form.

Friday: Music Therapy at Borders. It's not what you think it is, unless you think it's an eclectic mix of bluegrass, folk, and traditional country that is fast becoming a Knoxville tradition.

Saturday: The Damned Good Biscuits at Parker Sports Arena. A new venue out on Lovell Road. A new (to Knoxville) band that can mix it up with the best of them. And they may even let you bite their damned good biscuits...

Sunday: Greg Seidschlag with Matt Richardson and Shaken Babies at Electric Wizard. Come support the Knoxville Music Collective and hear the Metro Pulse senior intern, a scene staple, and some folktronic geniuses all on the same night.

Monday: Funky Little Blues Band at Ivory's. I think the name says if all.

Tuesday: Rico's Steel Drums at Cancun (Kingston Pike). Summer. Steel drums. Cuba Libres. A patio. Kingston Pike?

Wednesday: The Greasy Beans at Barley's. The Beans are bluegrass by way of Asheville...as is Barley's, come to think of it. Part of the WDVX "Behind the Barn" series, which means it'll be simulcast on 89.9.

—Zippy "Hot and Tired" McDuff