Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

A Family Affair

Knoxville rock bands just keep on cross-pollinating: tonight's Superdrag show will feature opening act The High Score—a recent collaboration between ex-Mustard guitarist Chris Cook, ex-Faults guitarist Robbie Trosper and drummer Jason Peters, and David Walker, a bassist who previously played in a band called Teenage Cockring.

"We have all played in various combinations before," Cook says, "but never all of us in this one configuration."

No kidding. The Faults rose from the ashes of the V-roys, as the 'roys Mic Harrison, Jeff Bills (who at one time was the drummer in every existing Knoxville band) and Paxton Sellers got together with Ramblin' Roy's Trosper. They cut a record on Bills' Lynn Point label (in Superdrag drummer Don Coffey, Jr.'s home studio), and Bills soon decided to leave the band to focus on that business venture. Peters, also of Ramblin' Roy extraction, joined thereafter.

Both The Faults and Mustard (featuring Rambler Cook) quickly started playing large venues. Mustard opened for Southern Culture On the Skids, and The Faults opened for Superdrag at the Tennessee Valley Fair and Sundown in the City.

When a three-piece High Score consisting of Trosper, Peters, and Walker began cutting an album, they brought in Cook to lay down guitar tracks. Cook is now an integral part of the band, sharing singing duties with Trosper.

"It's kind of a huge realization—why haven't we done this sooner?" Cook says. "Something happens whenever we play together. It just clicks."

Cook says The High Score's music is in keeping with their Knoxville heritage of "flat out American rock 'n' roll," with one twist: the use of two guitarists adds a Thin Lizzy-Judas Priest element. The band's been shopping this sound around the Southeast in preparation for their Nov. 5 release, Sexy Losers, on Lynn Point records.

The High Score will open for Superdrag along with Apolloswitch at Sundown in the City tonight (Aug. 29).

Go.

Thursday: If you're not a rocker, you could check out Sammy Blue's solo show at Sassy Ann's.

Friday: Go to the Haggus and Pink Sexies show at Pilot Light, and demand that they both leave town.

Saturday: Got a buck or two? Some South Knox folks wouldn't mind new water lines. Help 'em out at the Burnett Creek Fundraiser. Anyway, it's not all selfless—you'll hear some great folk from the Carawan family. And, pssst...this might have something to do with the Coster Shop, but you didn't hear it from me.

Sunday: Sebadoh's Jason Lowenstein indie-rocks the Pilot Light.

Monday: Cool down with jazz from MLC Trio featuring Dave King at 4620.

Tuesday: Take up bridge, cello, yoga, or creative writing. To learn how, see our calendar, page 45.

Wednesday: Laugh at the silly snooty Yanks of Art at the Clarence Brown Theatre.

—Emma "Would You Like to Know a Secret?" Poptart with Tamar Wilner