Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Beware the Mind Eraser Machine

Fans of the late, great Pegasi 51 will be happy to know that two of its members have founded a new band, called Agent Zarkov. Pegasi met its unfortunate death when drummer Kicki Pena and bassist Tevy Pena moved to Texas, says singer Rusty Yarnell.

"They had hoped we—me and [guitarist] Greg [McGuire]—might follow them there. As much as I love Pegasi, I did not feel that it would be in our best interest to move to Texas," Yarnell says.

But, Yarnell and McGuire started playing and writing songs with Scott Key and Andrew Steward, both formerly of Balance. The four hit it off and decided to start Agent Zarkov.

"Everything seems to be falling into place nicely, and to date we have written eight songs. Our goal was not to continue where Pegasi left off, but instead to harness the energy that was left and focus into another channel. Mission accomplished!

"The sound is a little heavier but the groove is still there, and I like the challenge of wrapping vocals around a new set of songs. All in all I'm pleased with the outlook and we hope to be ready to play our first live show in the next three months."

Oh, and about that name—if you're a sci-fi fan you probably know that it comes from Flash Gordon.

"We just settled on that name one night while taking a break at practice. Scott turned on the TV and the scene was on where Zarkov was strapped to the mind eraser machine. Come to think of it 'mind eraser machine' doesn't sound so bad either. I was open to any suggestion as long as it didn't have a number in it."

Another Way to Get a Drummer Off Your Porch

The American Plague has bounced back from the departure of drummer B.J. Fontana and is headed into the studio this fall to record songs for their first full-length album.

Drummer Todd Bryant, who played in local heavy rockers Galaxie and accompanied Dave Landeo, joined the band in late August after Plague singer/guitarist Jaw and Dave Dammit held a series of gruesome auditions.

"It was terrible," Jaw says. "Some people were cool, but the whole operation was an ordeal. I'd never recommend it to anyone. You've never played with these people before, and you ask them what songs they know and then try to play them. This guy just nailed it, though. He's a total rock drummer."

Jaw says the split with B.J. at the end of July was made on good terms. "In the end B.J. started not having such a great time," he says. "He was less and less into playing shows, and we got the feeling B.J. just wasn't as into it as in the past. He wants to play in a local band, and do that thing, and Dave and I want to be the opposite of that."

Fontana is apparently playing in another local band, but MP was unable to find out its name. (Yo, B.J.—give us a call.)

The new Plague line-up will start playing shows again in October, with a Halloween gig scheduled for Java in the Old City. They're recording songs this month for the first volume of the Radio Dick compilation series on Pal-Tone Records and plan to start recording their album in mid-October with production help from local studio savant Seva.

A new 7-inch split single with Hellvis is also available.

Beer, Bread and Barley's

Barley's Tap Room and Pizzeria will soon have a new owner, local restaurateur Randy Burleson. Fortunately, Burleson says he's not planning to drastically alter the Jackson Avenue pub, which has become known for its large beer selection, good pizza and Americana and jam band music. He's signed a letter of intent to buy the bar from Doug Beatty, who will continue to own the Barley's locations in Asheville and Greenville.

But Burleson says owning Barley's will help improve his other restaurants, Sunspot, both Aubrey's restaurants, and Little City Bistro. With the Jackson Avenue restaurant's brick ovens in his possession, Burleson says all his restaurants will have fresh bread. "Barley's is giving us opportunity to do things we've always dreamed about," he says.

Go.

Thursday: Welcome a Brit-pop Knoxville boy back home at the Pilot Light.

Friday: Imagine Flannery O'Connor as a folk musician. Then see Leslie Woods at Laurel Theatre.

Saturday: Go see Glass Joe make revved up rock and having a ball at Java in the Old City.

Sunday: Check out Benny Smith's Americana Cafe 100.3 radio show at Patrick Sullivan's.

Monday: Get seduced by the all-woman a cappella jazz ensemble, Just In Time, at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Tuesday: Rest.

Wednesday: See for yourself just how weird Faun Fables is at the Pilot Light.

—Emma "I saw the Mekons at CBGB's last week and you didn't" Poptart with Joe Tarr and Matthew Everett