Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Stacks o' Wax

Lucky for us, yet another hardy young urban pioneer/entrepreneur has ventured into the Old City. The result of this territorial expansion is the brand spanking new Modern World Records, located at 119 South Central. Modern World is a specialty record shop that caters to the more eclectic tastes.

"It's definitely a niche record store," says proprietor Nathan Moses. "I'm basically carrying rock and pop, a lot of old '77-style punk rock and 7-inch records. I know I'm taking a big risk with this store, but it's something I've always wanted to do."

The shop features out of print CD and vinyl recordings as well as local releases and new indie titles. And surprisingly enough, Moses reports that the store is in the black at this point.

"I'd been doing record shows for around eight years, but I'd always wanted to have my own place," says Moses. "It's kind of guesswork right now, but I'm trying to make a go of it and my overhead is very low."

It's also been guesswork trying to establish solid hours of operation for the budding business. Moses has had to shuttle back and forth between Modern World and his other gig at West Knoxville's veteran vinyl outlet, Lost & Found Records.

"I'm just beginning to get my schedule arranged better, and it's also kind of odd picking the best hours for this location," says Moses. "We try to always have someone here at nights when there is a lot of foot traffic in the area."

A trip to Modern World is well worth your time, and who knows just what you'll come across? For surefire results, I'd suggest calling ahead (at 524-5222) just to be sure the shop is open for business. Bring plenty of cash because the store doesn't have the credit card option as of yet. And who knows—you just might get lucky and find that Blondie 7-inch with the non-LP B-side you've sought for decades.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Thanks to the organizers of this Saturday's Murderpalooza 2000, a fabled performer and maniac about town has emerged from a musical coma to rock anew. Yes, Chris Andrews, alias Christopher Scum, will join like-minded acts, Minion, Abraxus, Murder Man, Hogman, Evil Twin and Mike Ill for what will surely be an, ahem, legendary event.

Murderpalooza is the brainchild of Sam Boswell, the Murder Man himself. And Andrews was indeed surprised when Boswell called him out of the blue, requesting that he perform on this year's show.

"I have absolutely no idea how he found me," says a baffled Andrews, "and I don't know if they're gonna get me out there in Union County (where the festival is held and direction information is in the calendar) and murder me, either. I have no idea why in the hell they'd be wanting me to play, but I'm sure gonna do it."

Maybe Boswell stumbled upon a copy of Andrews' latest CD, the aptly titled Relapse. Or maybe it's just Andrews' sterling reputation as a performance artist par excellence. In the past, Andrews has fronted such legendary combos as Stop Daddy, P.F.O. (Project First Offender), The Anal Daisies and Homewrecker.

For the Murderpalooza show, Andrews will perform as a solo act—featuring old chestnuts and new material alike. So if you're not brave enough to venture out to Union County for a peak event on the redneck/punk/hellraiser's social calendar, then you can find a copy of Relapse at area stores and experience gems like "Drinkin' Beer with Jesus" and "Sometimes I Need A Woman" in the safety of your living room.

If you should happen to attend the show, look for Zippy. The Zipster will be the one dressed in black—the one with the tattoos and the GG Allin T-shirt, drinking moonshine and wallowing in manure. Yee haw!

Stranger Than Fiction

Knoxville's off the wall and furiously rockin' Mustard opened up a can of whup-ass at the Jefferson County Fair Battle of The Bands, scoring the first prize of 1,000 whopping bucks and 16 hours of recording time at Big Mama Studios. The unlikely champions reaped a big benefit for what was their shortest gig ever.

For the contest, each band was allotted a five minute, one song performance slot. Mustard chose the magnum opus, "Rolly Polly," and took the title with ease.

"Most of the bands that were playing that day were kind of like Korn," says drummer Paul Turpin. "So I guess we were just a good contrast. We couldn't believe it—getting $1,000 for playing one song." Obviously, Turpin is Mr. Modesty. The band won 'cause they just plain rock and deserved to win. Period.

Turpin says that the band plans to use the money to finance some road trips in the near future. As to the recording session—well, Big Mama seems like kind of an odd place for Mustard to record. But then again, Jefferson County seems like an odd place for the unconventional band to win a contest. With Mustard, strange and wonderful things have been known to happen. Let's just hope that Chris, Paul and Nathan make a point to stop in for an appearance and a rendition of "I Honestly Love You" at Big Mama's Karaoke Cafe in Seymour when they finish recording.

Groovin'

Thursday: Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott with A. Scott Miller and Robinella and the CC String Band at Market Square. Where else can you experience such good stuff for no charge at all?

Friday: Wicked Cow People with Plow at Prince's Deli. The one, the only Cow People make a rare appearance out on Lovell Road.

Saturday: Michael Reno Harrell and the No Angels Band at The Palace Theatre. It's not that far to get to Maryville and well worth it to catch Harrell's gruff roots rock.

Sunday: Ninedollarmelonballer at Borders. Honestly, the Zip-ster has no idea how these Creed-esque rockers are going to contain themselves to this small space. But it'll be fun to watch.

Monday: HQ Band at Manhattan's. Local blues done dang well.

Tuesday: Ponder.

Wednesday: Mistress Misery Erotic Theatre at Lava Lounge. Admit it. You're curious.

—Zippy "Let's Get Physical" McDuff