Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

New Dog with Old Tricks?

The natty-looking fellow slouching stylishly against an old roadster on page 50 of the latest edition of Oxford American magazine is almost unrecognizable on first glance, outfitted as he is in sporty duds and carefully careless hair. But a closer viewing of the accompanying article confirms that said sloucher is indeed once and again Judybats crooner Jeff Heiskell, profiled in the magazine's July/August southern music special. Writer Rick Cornell, a fan of the original Judybats' four Sire Records albums back in the late '80's/early '90's, contacted the Seymour-based Heiskell upon hearing of the 'bats reconstitution/reawakening in the last year or so.

And according to guitarist Reed Pendleton, Heiskell's reborn celebrity is only one of many good things currently happening for the five-man band. That issue of Oxford American also contains a free CD with cuts from southern lights such as Tom Petty, Wilco, and Dolly Parton, as well as the new Judy-tune "Break My Heart."

"Lots of real rootsy stuff from these really well-known artists—nice company to keep," Pendleton chuckles. "I don't what the heck we're doing on there."

The 'bats have also been invited to contribute a track to an upcoming Paul McCartney tribute album, due in fall on a label to be named later. Their cover of the McCartney solo track "Lovin' Song," recorded at Seymour's Big Mama studio, will sit alongside contributions from the Foo Fighters, World Party, and Matthew Sweet. Proceeds from sale of the disc, which reportedly has approval from the Walrus himself, will go toward cancer research and to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

And the band's own self-produced CD, Judybats '00, has sold nearly 6,000 copies via the Internet and Sound Scan record stores alone. Check out the band's website at www.judybats.com.

In the meantime, the band has been touring at carefully chosen intervals, having entertained sell-out crowds in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and at Chicago's infamous House of Blues. The HOB show was subsequently cybercast over the 'net, accessible at www.hob.com.

Don't look for local Judybats shows anytime soon, but do look for an Aug. 6 date at Nashville's 3rd and Linsley. That show will also be broadcast live on Nashville's Lightning 100 WRLT.

For old school fans, Pendleton says the band's live act includes four or five numbers salvaged from its previous incarnation, a gesture that has drawn enthusiastic response on website postings. "If we're using the old name, we figure we'd better play at least a few of the old songs," he says.

Local CD Review

Slow Blind Hill Live at the Baker Peters House
(Independent Recordings, Inc.)

It's only fitting that Knoxville bluesmeisters Slow Blind Hill decided to release a live recording. Best experienced late at night in a smoky bar, the band sounds great when the drinks are flowing and the party mood kicks in full force.

Live at The Baker Peters House accurately sums up the Slow Blind Hill experience in a well-executed, well-recorded package. The band is dead on in their rendition of 14 covers and one original, "Maytag Man," a song that would make even Old Lonely rock out.

The selection of material on the album is a good clue as to where the band's roots lie, which is really all over the blues/rock/swing/jazz map of the U.S.A. The Slow Blind boys deliver loving renditions of tunes by disparate artists such as Willie Dixon, Carl Perkins, Taj Mahal, and even Ira Gershwin. This live CD is 100 proof positive that the band has the taste, experience, and verve to pull off the works of the masters. You can purchase the CD while rocking out at one of the band's frequent area shows or at better local record stores (you know where they are).

Get Out!

Thursday: Vans Warped Tour at Chilhowee Park or Quiet Riot at Banana Joe's. Either way, it should be one heck of a good (if somewhat odd) time.

Friday: Cigar Store Indians with Nug Jug at Patrick Sullivan's. Pure-rawk Southern-style served up in a Knoxville landmark. Mmmm-mmmm good.

Saturday: Mistress Misery Erotic Theatre at Lava Lounge. Really, if the name doesn't say it all, nothing else will.

Sunday: CC String Band at Barley's. Some of the best traditional/bluegrass/jazz sounds with a modern sensibility coming out of Knoxville today. Catch them now while they still do free shows.

Monday: HQBand at Manhattan's. Hector Qirko is now a Monday night regular in the Old City and guitar-blues fans heave a sigh of relief.

Tuesday: It's Alive! at KMA. Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures will blow your mind. Really. I'm still trying to find the pieces of mine.

Wednesday: Kenny Roby with Cary Hudson at Manhattan's. Roby is former Six String Drag and all alt.country.rock—or whatever it is you want to call it these days.

—Zippy "just don't call me late for dinner" McDuff