Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Another Boring Public Radio Station

Metro Pulse reported a few weeks ago that WNCW—the public station based in Spindale, N.C.—was losing its Knoxville translator, broadcasting at the 96.7 FM frequency.

Many radio fans were upset about losing the eclectic station and the way that WNCW's management handled the negotiations with the translator's owner.

But, it doesn't look like much can be done about it.

The new owner of the translator—WKTS, which broadcasts in Kingston at 90.1 FM—hopes to be broadcasting in Knoxville by Feb. 1. WKTS now plays "adult standards" and big band music. But when it begins broadcasting in Knoxville, it will switch to a smooth jazz format from 6 a.m. to the evening, says John Jordan, WKTS general manager and owner. "Most of the people here like that [smooth jazz] format," he says. "It appeals to a demographic we'd like to serve."

From the evening until 6 a.m., the station will broadcast Spanish language programs, Jordan says. WKTS will also broadcast CNN news on the hour as well as some local sports programming.

"We really want to be a full-service station to the Knoxville area," he says.

Local Review

The French Broads
Tubes, Wood & Metal (Disgraceland)

The French Broads are one of the most prolific local bands, putting out several releases in the last couple of years. You almost get the feeling they'll keep putting out records even if no one listens to them. Luckily, that attitude generally leads to passionate music.

Tubes, Wood & Metal's an album filled with pleasant guitar pop rock, most of the songs written by lead singer/guitarist John T. Baker. The nice thing about Baker's songs are that they're nicely understated. You get enough information to piece the thing together, but he doesn't beat you over the head with what he's saying.

Take "Tom Brokaw," which opens Tubes, Wood & Metal. I'm pretty sure it's about the Sept. 11th terrorist attack, but nowhere does he mention terrorists, airplanes, Osama, Bush or box cutters. Instead, he focuses on the effect it had on him: "the endless hours leave indentions/ like toothmarks on beloved skin/ the nonstop flood of hopeless hope/ of concrete and steel/ on a fireman's rope."

The chorus—"but Tom Brokaw can't see it all/ Tom Brokaw can't see at all/ So I change the channel on my wall"—pinpoints one reason why the attack was so frightening and remarkable: for once the TV crews could not control the spectacle and all of us fell into it together, staring at our TV sets. A final give-away is the sample from the NYC subway, with the unmistakable recording warning, "Stand clear of the closing doors, please."

Most of the songs aren't so weighty, however: "Cro Mag Sound" is a tribute to Robert Pollard; "Insomniac" about a girl; "Big Orange Paint" about, well, what else?

The rhythm section keeps the disc hopping along, and at times the band mixes things up with some noodly electronics. But, this is first and foremost a guitar band, with Baker and Rivers trading off licks.

You can catch the French Broads live at their CD release party at the Preservation Pub on Market Square. The festivities start at 9:30 p.m.

Go.

Thursday: Get spooked by Evil Twin at the Pilot Light.

Friday: Hear Knoxville's best pop band, The Westside Daredevils, at the Pilot Light.

Saturday: If you've got the cash, go see Todd Rundgren at the Tennessee Theatre. If not, go check out the French Broads for free.

Sunday: Support your local pirate radio station, KFAR, with a hip-hop benefit at Blue Cats. You know they won't play smooth jazz.

Monday: Write a love letter.

Tuesday: Drink whiskey and wonder what your loved one will make of your prose.

Wednesday: Call your mother.

—Madame "Finally I Am No One" Georgie with Joe Tarr