Talkin' subbluecollar Blues

First the V-roys and now this. Subbluecollar, one of the Scruffy City's finest rock outfits, is no more. But as with the V-roys, you can expect to hear more from its individual members, says leader/songwriter Katherine Brock.

The breakup was basically due to a lack of interest, Brock says. "It got to be too stale, it wasn't fun anymore. We always told ourselves if it wasn't fun, we'd stop."

In addition, Brock's side project, Blank (which has a mellow, yet experimental and edgy sound, reminiscent of Cat Power and Shannon Wright) started to take up more and more of Brock's time. "I would write like a madwoman for that band [Blank]. And I don't like that because I feel like Joe and Dave our my musical soulmates, and I didn't feel like I was giving them any quality material."

"Joe and Dave" are subbluecollar's guitarists, Joe McLemore, and drummer, David Campbell—who both also played in Brock's earlier band, Mars Hill. Brock plans to work with both of them in the future, though exactly how is still up in the air. It may be in conjunction with Blank or as a new entity altogether, she says.

Whatever the case, her music will be more, "groovy mellow stuff instead of earsplitting loud jumping up and down rock 'n' roll. Music is taking on a different meaning for me," she says. "[Loud punk rock] is fun, it's so fun, but I'm not into that anymore. Maybe on occasion, but I don't want that to be the basis for anything I'm doing."

Although you won't see her playing out much in the next few months (aside from maybe an occasional Blank gig), Brock will not be stagnating. She and her musical allies plan to record a 7-inch in January.

For all you weeping subbluecollar fans, there may be something in the works to console you. The band had recorded a full CD of material, which may still be released. A smattering of tracks from the CD were played on WUTK not long ago. They had a raw, ecstatic, trippy feel to them.

"We love it so much, it's such a great record, that I'd love to release it. But money is always an issue. But I'd hate to have it sitting around because it's something we all worked hard on," Brock says.

Flippy Checks In

And now, a concert review from our special correspondent, Flippy McDuff:

For all her arena rock-lite bluster, Melissa Etheridge puts on a fairly boring show—if Monday night's performance at the Civic Coliseum was any indication.

The trademark chesty rasp Etheridge over-applies to each song in classic Michael Bolton style actually sounded rather small in the large hall. To make matters worse, she was dwarfed by her stark back-up band of drums, bass, lead guitar, and keys. And hits like "I'm the Only One" and "If I Only Wanted To" may withstand a pleasurable listen individually, but they began to sound remarkably similar when served up together in one show. By the time "Come to My Window" rolled around, I was ready to hit the door. Even the set was dull—a completely open stage, offset by a simple painted forest backdrop, and a large illuminated pink triangle strung up from the rafters.

This is not to say that Etheridge wasn't a friendly and gracious performer. Looking like a lesbian Bound dream come true with her shaggy blonde mop and skin-tight leather, she worked the entire stage, sitting on its lip for a couple of slower numbers and spotlighting the eager crowd with a flashlight. She even cheered the Lady Vols in her first bit of stage banter—a comment that naturally brought rousing cheers from the oh-so-appreciative audience. But for those less enthusiastic, like myself, it would seem this pioneering purveyor of the lesbian chic has gone the way of the dildo... errr, dodo.

Underground No Longer

In a truly surreal turn of events, a group of longtime underground scenesters hit the strip last Saturday before the Notre Dame game—playing an endless loop of what could possibly be the worst song ever. Sure they were selling out, but it was a quick way to pick up some chump change and have a few laughs.

Self-proclaimed Knoxville legend Clint Clinton (nee Shannon Stanfield) was aided and abetted by drummer Lawson Jaeger (known for his work with several local bands of old including The Clintons, Whitey, and The Dirtclods) and bassist Mike Knott (formerly of 30 Amp Fuse, among others) in a band for hire dubbed the Clinton's B-Team. The band stood on the corner of 17th Street and Cumberland Avenue, playing as a part of a Tony Basilio's Sports Drive live remote.

"We just played 'Rocky Top' over and over," says Clinton, who has never been averse to rehashing old nuggets in exchange for cash. "We also got the Hog Man (aka Jerry Isham) to sing with us and we did his song, 'Boogie Woogie Piggie Wiggy.'"

In the middle of countless iterations of "Rocky Top," who would happen to walk by but Knoxville's favorite son, Todd Steed, who quickly jumped on-stage and joined the band for yet another rendition, which was aired on local radio waves.

"He saw us playing and he couldn't stand it," complains Clinton. "He had to jump up there and steal my thunder, just like he's been doing for years!"

Calling Deep Thinkers

All you would-be auteurs can have your glorious work shown at the Hi Mom 2000 Film Festival, which will be held at various venues in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, N.C., March 3-5. The organizers describe the event as "a festival for filmmakers with big ideas and little bank accounts, deep thinkers with shallow pockets, short on gimmicks but long on talent." Further, "we'll find lodging for filmmakers [as space is available] and we will ply them with beverage and pancakes in the shape of their initials." How can you possibly resist? The early entry deadline is January 11 with a fee of zero bucks. (Yes, you read that right). The final deadline is February 1 and the entry fee will be $10. For more info, visit www.metalab.unc.edu/cpg/ or email [email protected] or call 919-967-8969. Thank me later.

—Zippy "Deeper and Deeper" McDuff