Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Local CD Review

Past Mistakes
And the Story Doesn't End (One Wing Records)

The burgeoning local indie/hardcore label One Wing Records scores big with its debut release, Past Mistakes' ...And The Story Doesn't End. Recorded in a dank basement (hereupon known as T Minus 5 studios) of the dwelling inhabited by One Wing head honchos Barry Gault and Robbi Koons, ...And The Story delivers a surprisingly big sound—especially when considering the cramped space where it was created.

But then again, what could you expect? Local emocore heartthrob Chase Valentine is the lyricist, provocateur and driving force behind the band. And when it comes to creating hormonally charged songs of teen torment, Chase has never been topped, at least not locally. That's right—the tunes on ...And The Story are hotter than a heavy petting session in the back of Valentine's car on an autumn night.

Honest folks, this is top-drawer stuff. Past Mistakes deliver a primo blend of hardcore and emo styles that ranks up there with the best of them. The band brings to mind heavy hitters like The Promise Ring, Thursday, the Alkaline Trio and Lifetime, and that's on the more derivative tunes. Valentine's lyrics push the intensity levels into the red zone on each and every one of the 13 tracks.

And, if that's not enough, there's the guitar factor. Lead guitarist Jason Williams is exceptionally gifted—charging through the tunes with style, restraint, experimentation and a fistful of metal when it's necessary. Williams plays as if he couldn't decide to steal your Jawbreaker album or your entire Van Halen and Zeppelin catalogues when he was playing at your pool party—so he just took them all! But seriously, the kid is just smokin' and plays circles around any and every supposed guitar hero in town.

OK, I suppose I should explain what I mean when I refer to Past Mistakes as hardcore. The band is miles beyond the no-neck, testosterone-charged bunk of the usual tattooed, muscle-bound hordes. Past Mistakes is hardcore because they mean what they say—even if it's naive at some point. Past Mistakes is totally of the moment—as if right now is all that matters. The sentiment is bare and pure. And therefore, it's hardcore.

The band (and Valentine in particular) is like romantic poet Rousseau. It's all about immediacy of expression. And the immediacy makes it valid. What Valentine feels now is all that matters on Earth, and why shouldn't it be? If you're too old to remember the intensity of adolescent emotion, I pity you. By golly, what these guys are dishing up at the moment is white hot. Check it out for yourselves and you'll be glad you did. Look for ...And The Story Doesn't End at all cool local stores or order online from www.onewingrecords.com. And—as if that wasn't enough—keep an eye peeled for the Atropos' debut coming next month from One Wing.

FYI

If you were planning to go to the Tricky show at Blue Cats on Tuesday, Sept. 25, now would be a good time to revise those plans. Tricky has canceled all of his North American tour in the wake of the tragic events of Sept. 11, citing concern with travel and shipping schedules.

Also, Les Percussions de Guinée will not be playing at the Mountain Oasis Festival this weekend at Van Hoy Farms in Union City, N.C., due to travel concerns. However, the rest of the line-up—including Medeski, Martin & Wood, The Wailers, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, G. Love & Special Sauce, The North Mississippi All Stars, The Del McCoury Band, Scott Miller & the Commonwealth, The Dan Tyminski Band, Donna The Buffalo, and many, many more—will march on as planned. More information can be found at www.mountainoasisfest.com.

Go.

Thursday: Leftover Salmon with Johnny Irion and Sarah Lee Guthrie at Market Square. Sundown grooves out.

Friday: The Desert Sky Tour at Electric Ballroom. DJs Jolby, Special K, Satoshi and others spin for your dancing pleasures.

Saturday: Jack Mauro, who penned this summer's Multiverse Knox fiction series, at B. Dalton West Town signing his latest, Spite Hall. Then, The Cantrells at Laurel Theatre. Newgrass.

Sunday: Knoxville Symphony Orchestra at Tennessee Theatre. A free performance of the much-beloved Peter and the Wolf. Expose your kids to the arts.

Monday: Ponder.

Tuesday: Knoxville Opera Studio at Clarence Brown Theatre. Why not?

Wednesday: Cracker with Apelife at Blue Cats. Two great rockers that taste great together.

—Emma "Sick on a number of levels" Poptart