Missive From Our Adoring Public

The fax just flew across my desk and it was simply too precious to not share. Here it is. No names (nor bad grammar and misspellings) have been changed to protect the innocent. (Oh, and note to "Knoxville scene expert," remember that your fax machine prints your name and number at the top of the document.)

Dear Zippy,

Change the name of the column to "closed eye on the scene." Obviously, you don't like rock music. Most of Knoxville does. I'm sorry if only a few hundred people showed up for the Africa Fete concert ["Eye on the Scene," Aug. 26-Sept. 2], but that is probaly every person in Knoxville that even cares about that type music. I'm not saying is bad, just very unpopular. Obviously why there are only 18 dates on the tour. Also, ever been to central park, it's not that big "city slicker."

Now on with the rest. Why dog out the "rock never stops" tour? I was there, but I didn't see it quite the way you did. What I saw there were thousands, not hundreds, of people enjoying themselves like people did in the '80s. You know when it was fun to like music, when the world wasn't such a bad place, and you could go to the front of the stage without fear of a mosh pit, stage diving, and other crap that you can expect at so called concerts today. The people that were at that show remember when you got a show for your money, not a broken arm or put to sleep with a 20 piece band. 80% of the people in Knoxville listen to rock, and that's what they want. So when people say the scene is dead, they're talking about the absence of shows, like "rock never stops," not a symphony in the park.

As for the cracks about the appearance of the members of the bands at "rock never stops," I can't believe that you or anyone would say anything about them. So what, there a little older, maybe heavier, maybe less (or more) hair. Wake up, we all get older. Thank God, they're still playing so we can enjoy the music. Would you say that about Eric Clapton, or maybe Mic Jagger. Anyone with a brain wouldn't. Besides, have you seen some of the acts that are out there today? Appearance? Maybe you should look at yourself, and when your perfect, then maybe you can judge people whom have sold millions of records, i.e. Ted Nugent, Kevin DuBrow, and Mark Slaughter.

I hope that, in the future, you will report the local scene and leave the critism to the real critics.

Feel free to print this, If you can take the kind of criticism that you so easily dish out.

Sincerely,
Knoxville scene expert

So how about it, Knoxville. Is the "Rock Never Stops" tour what you really want? Are mosh pits the scourge of the '90s? And were the '80s the only time you could really enjoy yourself? Lemme know at: [email protected] or through the handy fax machine (522-2955) or snail mail.

Koda-Chroma

Dave Whittaker of the suddenly thriving Pinnacle Productions has, for the moment at least, achieved his primary objective in securing a venue for his local music bookings. The place is the CHROMA Art District in the Old City (150 E. Jackson Ave.), a space that will be shared with a group of young artists.

The coming out party for the CHROMA Art District as a music venue will be a $4 all-ages show on Wednesday, September 15 at 9 p.m. The lineup will include The Blame, New Brutalism, and features former Thumbnail member Justin Sinkovich's Atombombpocketknife. Whittaker is hoping for a more eclectic and unique feel to his shows at this new venue, and since it blends so well with abstract surroundings, he says indie rock will feature prominently in his bookings there.

Whittaker had been looking for a venue of his own for several months now, beginning with his efforts as the leader of the currently in limbo Knoxville Music Collective. Although he will continue to book shows elsewhere, including his now-regular Sunday night show at the Electric Wizard on Cumberland Avenue, he is hoping that the bulk of his acts can eventually use this space. However, Whittaker is cautious and only plans to book one or two shows a week at CHROMA until the arrangement, currently a tentative one, becomes permanent.

Some Entertainment Options

Thursday: Maggie Estep and Samantha Coerbell at UT UC. Get out your modern-day beatnik garb as these two poets will rock your word-lovin' world.

Friday: Evan Carawan and the Travelers at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. You've seen him on WBIR, now hear his dulcimer folk in Gatlinburg. Yeah, it's a drive, but it's worth it.

Saturday: Kansas at Tennessee Valley Fair. All of the Knoxville music experts will be there. Will you?

Sunday: Mental and Satanarchy at Tomato Head. Puppeteer Marco Sonnie is back with two brief wacky adventures.

Monday: All-4-One at Tennessee Valley Fair. Yup. I admit it. I wondered what happened to them too.

Tuesday: Katie Granju at Borders. Granju, a former Metro Pulse contributor, has finally finished her book about a radical new way to raise children, which has been raising eyebrows far and wide. Now, she wants to sign a copy for you.

Wednesday: Roscoe Morgan and Lonely Train at Barley's. Sometimes, you've just got to have the 'grass.

—Zippy "Never Ask Me About Jagger" McDuff