Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Lighting Up

After months of dealing with building-code inspectors, the Pilot Light is finally open and beer is being served.

The little club at 106 E. Jackson Ave. should provide a much needed breath of fresh air for the Knoxville music scene by offering a venue for original, experimental, and unusual acts.

Unfortunately, the club is, for now, open only when there are bands scheduled. And what do you know, the next show just happens to be tonight (Thursday) with The Come Ons, Adam Hill, and Greg Siedschlag.

The Tomato Head's music guru, Brian Sherry, is working with the club and has booked a number of out-of-town groups in July, including Court and Spark on July 18 and The Faint on July 23.

Co-owner Leigh Shoemaker says the Pilot Light will probably start regular hours in July.

Now all you people who grumble about the lack of things to do in Knoxville, please support these guys. This town has seen far too many great, original ventures fail because Knoxvillians couldn't pry themselves away from their TV sets. Go check it out. Tell 'em Zippy sent ya (though you might have to duck).

Local CD Reviews

Brian Waldschlager
Down There (Disgraceland Records)

The current chapter in the long, winding saga of local-boy-gone Music City U.S.A.—Brian Waldschlager—seems to be a happy and successful one at last. Waldschlager's first solo release, Down There (Disgraceland Records) proves that all of Brian's hard work, touring, and constant playing in myriad bands has honed his songwriting and performing skills to perfection.

Down There is a mix of rock 'n' country stylings that is sure to please anyone who's spent a night or two (or decades) in a smoky, honky tonk dive. It seems that Waldschlager's years in the trenches of the underbelly of the music industry has yielded a mature, world-weary quality that just can't be manufactured by an upstart.

Former Five Bucks member Richie Owens' production is right on the money: clear as a bell and professional—but not so high gloss that it takes away the rough edge. Apparently, Waldschlager and Owens learned to communicate well in their years as 'Bucks. Owens also co-wrote two of the tracks on the 10-song collection.

Local scenesters take note: songwriting credits include veteran scenester (and former bandmate of Waldschlager in Wh-Wh) Terry Hill, as well as Brian's rendition of Knoxville's garage rock poet laureate Todd Steed's hit, "You Must Be from Nashville." Considering Brian's experience in the Music City, who could be more qualified to cover that tune?

Down There displays a true focus from Waldschlager, who has the confidence and ability to take a few risks here and there without overstepping his bounds. His voice can go from gruff to sweet in a matter of seconds (as in the falsetto passage on "Take A Ride") and it all sounds effortless.

Brian's recent show at Patrick Sullivan's Saloon drew a packed house, with good reason. Rather than being a flash in the pan, Waldschlager is in it for the long run, and he's got the chops to prove it. You can find the disc in area record stores or online by visiting http://www.disgraceland.com. Chalk up another winner for Disgraceland Records

Mark Boling Trio
Evidence

The release of the Mark Boling Trio's new CD, Evidence, proves once again that, believe it or not, Knoxville really is a hotbed of jazz activity. Led by guitar virtuoso and esteemed UT music instructor Mark Boling, the trio also boasts Knoxville's leading jazz rhythm section of Rusty Holloway on bass and Keith Brown on drums. The group delivers flat-out smokin' renditions of a few jazz standards (by, among others, Thelonious Monk and Wes Montgomery) as well as original tunes by Boling and local jazz keyboard maestro Donald Brown.

I usually don't get too carried away by guitar jazz because the instrument seems to lend itself to fusion tendencies and faux jazz George Benson-isms that would be best left for the easy listening set. But Boling avoids any of these pratfalls, instead operating in a more adventurous mode. His playing is fluid, soulful, and downright stunning. All three members of the trio serve up flawless performances and the musicianship is downright astounding. What's more, the three veteran players have the good taste to show restraint in the quiet passages and then let it rip when things get hectic.

Once again, it's a case of a stellar local group playing for small handfuls of people in local dives. Boling & Co. are playing world-class music that would floor jazz aficionados anywhere. You can find out more about the group by visiting http://www.music.utk.edu/ jazz/boling.html. Even better, the trio plays out around town regularly (including a CD release party on Friday, June 30 at KMA), so do yourself a favor and get out and support them.

Transmission Omissions

Last week, one Mr. Joe Tarr penned a story on these pages ["Audio Online," June 22, 2000] about Knoxville music's heavy online presence. Turns out, some sites were overlooked, as this electronic missive points out:

Thanks for the story on the local online music scene. There are a few things that I wish you had added, though. First, you should have mentioned the swell music links page on the Metro Pulse website. Second, I wish you had mentioned my "Knoxtunes" web radio station, which features Knoxville bands' music. And third, it's worth noting that Knoxville actually has already acquired something of a reputation—especially among blues fans—for having a disproportionately large number of good bands on the Web. I think that's kinda cool.
Electroboy

We stand informed.

—Zippy "Plugged In, Dropped Out" McDuff