Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

30AF MIA

Thirty Amp Fuse founder/frontman Mike Smithers has been notably absent from our Eye for some time now. In the last two years, the unit has played only three shows. But due in large part to a shot of morale from legendary BBC broadcaster John Peel, Smithers says another 30AF record will hopefully materialize by the beginning of next year.

Founded about eight years ago, 30AF and its ever-changing line-up (songwriter Smithers has been the only constant over that time) toured frequently and released three snappy and wonderfully tuneful punky-power-pop records on various indies, platters that drew fond recognition in Alternative Press and Magnet and the like. Then managerial miscues and label mismanagement of the band's second record Saturday Night at the Atomic Speedway demoralized and disillusioned members of the three-piece unit, and gradually saw the Fuse's spark flicker into near-nothingness.

"I'd kind of given up on music," says Smithers, who now works for AC Entertainment. "[A falling-out] with our manager in 1998...basically wasted a whole year for us. That took the wind right out of our sails."

Then in February, Smithers took two weeks of R&R in England, boarding at the home of a 30AF fan with whom Smithers had become pen-pals. His first day abroad, his friend arranged for Smithers to dine with broadcaster John Peel, BBC demi-god, host of the network's long-running and popular nightly music show.

"I gave him two CDs, and he played a song off Speedway each of the next five nights," Smithers says with no small enthusiasm. "He talked about the band before he played the songs each night; he referred to me as a 'quiet American.' That was probably 'cos I was jet-lagged the afternoon we had lunch."

A rejuvenated Smithers came home from the Old Country and immediately began writing songs. To date, he's penned about 10 new tunes, some of which he's recorded with Superdrag pals John Davis on bass and Don Coffey on drums. That trio also opened this summer for Grant Hart at Knoxville's Pilot Light, and the former Hüsker Dü-er invited them onstage during his set.

"We played 'Diane' with him, and it was a huge thrill," Smithers says. "That was the kicker; it was like 'Man, I've got to get serious about playing again.'"

Smithers is still looking for a rhythm section; he had an amicable parting-of-ways with drummer Jason Ratliff and bassist Josh Bentley. His goal is to record and release a new record in early 2002.

"30 Amp Fuse got a second life that February in England," he says. "But if nothing else happens, I can look back on that moment and say that for one week, I was a pretty happy camper."

There's Gonna Be A Showdown

There are a lot of similarities between poetry and lyrics, although I would not use the words interchangeably. Both benefit and beg to be spoken in a crowd, where the words can take on new nuances and tone and rhythm can alter meaning. And, there are lots of awful lyrics and poetry out there. Performing them to a crowd is the best way to exposes the horrible, enabling the writer and performer open to criticism to grow in his or her art.

Well, tonight there's going to be a hip-hop open-mike session at 319, modeled after the poetry slams that have been popular in Knoxville for years. Judges hand-picked from the audience will judge, and DJ Scienz from Fluid Engineerz will provide sound. Emma would like to take this moment to make a plea to the judges. As with poetry slams, you'll be asked to judge the work you hear on a scale. Please, use the full scale, not just the top two or three grades, as so often happens. Trust me, no one in this event deserves a 10, or whatever the perfect score is, no matter how good their work is. Perfect scores should be reserved for those who have mastered their art after years of hard work—such as Seamus Heaney, T.S. Eliot, Keats, Gwendolyn Brooks. In hip hop's case, the masters are Chuck D, Mos Def, Eminem and Talib Kweli, not whoever takes the stage in front of you. Don't be afraid to give bad scores and grade accordingly. If it's mediocre, it deserves a 5 not an 8; if it's bad it deserves a 2 or a 3, not a 7. Whoever gets on stage deserves your respect, but true respect is based on honesty. Be honest. Performers, keep in mind that when you get up on stage you're asking for an honest assessment of your work. Don't take your score personally. The judges aren't judging your soul but your words and work, which believe it or not can always be improved. If you don't want to get better, stay off the stage and only read your lyrics to your lover.

Featured artists at the competition will be 33rd Degree, Solid Earth Collective, Lord Justice and Demented Soundz. This is a late nighter, starting at 11:30 p.m. and running until 2 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 6. Cover is $5.

Go.

Thursday: Inman Majors at Laurel Theatre. Writer Majors will be reading from Swimming in the Sky, his outstanding coming of age novel, at the Knoxville Writers' Guild monthly meeting. Afterward, head over to Market Square to check out Jag Star, Copper, and The Bitter Pills.

Friday: Scott Miller and the Commonwealth with The Faults at Blue Cats. How many times must it be said? Miller is amazing—and the show should be even more of a thrill, given that the opening band is fronted by one Mic Harrison, former V-roy and all-around rocker. This'll be a scorcher.

Saturday: Sean McCullough at Laurel Theatre. McCullough kicks of the Fall 2001 Jubilee Community Arts series, which is one of the best showcases around for regional sounds.

Sunday: The Prints of Andy Warhol at KMA. Last day to see it, if you dare.

Monday: Eat a funnel cake at the Tennessee Valley Fair—and check out the ice cream eating contest.

Tuesday: Choke down a roll of Tums and nap.

Wednesday: Superdrag at the Tennessee Valley Fair.

Dig it.

—Emma "and a-1, and a-2" Poptart