Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Out in the Open

Grab your guitar and check your ego at the door. That's how veteran open mic host Jimmy Longston runs his Monday-night showcase at Spicy's in the Old City. His agenda is simple: get people "out of the closet, basement, garage" to show-off their talent in a respectful atmosphere.

The bar's back room becomes the staging area starting at 9 p.m. Performers are offered a free draft beer; and the format is list-round-robin with three minutes of performance time for musicians, singers, spoken-word performers, magicians and jugglers... yes, jugglers.

Those who perform five times, annually, can earn a spot on the back-drop "Wall of Shame." Prominently placed among the framed faces tacked behind performers is a photo of Sara Jordan, the late blues/jazz singer who graced K-town's music scene for over a decade. She was instrumental in helping Longston with his first open mic at Ivory's 10 years ago. She is still remembered as an open mic stand-out, along with past open mic "virgins"-turned-pro Short Bus and Michael Miller, among others.

Other OM-circuit old timers include guitarist "Uncle" Ed Borman with his original works and the story-singing cowboy-clad Bill Trac. Some newer faces are Matt Hebert with his 12-string virtuosity and Chris "The-Chicks-Dig-Me" Bidwell with his performance art/antics (worth sticking out the evening to see. You'll have to set down your beer, you'll be laughing so hard).

Another open mic favorite, guitarist/singer/songwriter Patrick Linkous, sees this particular venue as a fantastic opportunity for local artists to enjoy the benefits of live performance without the favoritism and "politics" that seem to have shortened the life of many other open mic nights in town.

CD Review I
Money Shot
Money Shot

Knoxville's Money Shot aren't staking out much new territory with their clean, slick, highly-processed brand of bluesy hard rock. But that probably isn't their intent, either, so discarding their new self-titled demo/EP for its wont of originality would be missing the point.

What Money Shot does quite well is play melodic, accessible tunes that fall somewhere on the sonic continuum between Kenny Wayne Shepherd's AOR blues stylings and the post-alternative Big Rock of bands like Seven Mary Three; one part southern warhorse, one part blues, with a dash of arena-rock bombast and a good feel for the FM hook.

The playing is great, especially that of guitarist Anthony McBrayer, and Money Shot is probably a patio crowd-pleaser on the strength of chops and tightness alone. Nonetheless, a little more grit and a little less antiseptic would give Money Shot a shot-in-the-arm, bestowing the trio and their music with that intangible something that allows good songs to transcend the limitations of studio sterility and take on a life of their own.

Money Shot will play The Pub on December 14.

CD Review II
The Vacationist League
Unjust Intonations

Fans of Knoxville's seminal, early '90's, nerd-rock outfit, The Swamis, will immediately recognize and appreciate The Vacationist League as the brainchild of John Tilson. Unjust Intonations picks up more or less where Tilson left off, sans turban. The album has a sense of humor and fun that's hard to come by these days; a delight in everyday silliness.

The album begins with "Little Helicopter," an appropriate mood-setter: "I go spinning/ in my little helicopter/ knowing that it's good around the world." Amidst gurgling basslines, simple grooves, and frenetic noise guitar solos, Tilson's wavery tenor generates dozens of slice-of-life suburban scenes, from crying babies to grocery moms to irreverent skaters, all from a perspective of benign detachment. The man has a knack for crafting lyrics; poetic yet unpretentious, these songs poke fun without ever becoming snide.

The Leaguers, including Tilson, Bill DeLeonardis, Brandon Beavers, and fellow Swami and ex-V-roy Jeff Bills, are a messy bunch. Intonations is not just disorderly; it is French-kissing-a-camel sloppy. And for the most part, it's sloppy in a fun way—a la Pavement or the Velvets—enjoyable, to a point. Upon repeat listening, the band's numerous descents into chaos tend to get tedious. And while there are plenty of inspired moments, both tuneful and dissonant, none of the songs on Intonations rival The Swamis' better material.

Of course, that's a tall order, and while the approach is similar and some of the players are the same, The Vacationist League is a different band. Overall, Unjust Intonations is definitely a worthwhile listen, and it's good to have Tilson and company back in the fold.

Go.

Thursday: Stinking Lizaveta with Newport at Pilot Light. I know our systems monkey wouldn't miss the Stinkers' unique brand of loud rock. [Systems monkey note: I command you to go see these Greek lunatics. —Jojo]

Friday: Clare Fader and the Vaudevillians at Fairbanks. Excellent, eclectic music for dancing.

Saturday: Shazam with Geisha at Pilot Light. A stellar night of local pop-rock and, coincidentally, the Shazam's last stand before they head to the International Pop Overthrow Festival in NYC.

Sunday: Peter Pan at Oak Ridge Playhouse. You will believe a boy can fly.

Monday: Anwar Accawi and Julie Auer at Hodges Library, UT. A reading from two local essayists.

Tuesday: Marissa at The Spot. Mellow out. Enjoy a beverage.

Wednesday: Trey of Left Foot Down at Macleods. Mellow out. Enjoy another beverage.

—Emma "Monkey Snot?" Poptart with CA Cleveland and Mike Gibson