Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Who's Next?

Not that we're whispering "conspiracy" or anything, but it does seem like major local bands have been dropping like flies lately. Gran Torino, the Bitter Pills and Left Foot Down called it quits, Superdrag is taking an indefinite break, and now the Jodie Manross Band is disbanding. "We've all been doing side projects that take up a lot of time. I guess you could say I'm going solo," Manross said.

None of the members will lack for things to do in the meantime. Guitarist Laith Keilany, who will still perform with Jodie and Casey Jones, is playing with the Appalachian World Music Ensemble. He said he may pursue some side projects with bassist Andre Hayter, who has been doing some recording, and Nathan Barrett, who is playing drums for the MacDaddies. "We're still good friends," says Manross, but the change is an awkward adjustment for everyone. The band will play a few more scheduled gigs this summer, and even a fundraiser in October, but no farewell show is planned. Manross is working on a Motown-covers project with Mitch Rutman and Vance Thompson (of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra). She has also been playing guitar more often and writing more Americana-style, singer/songwriter solo material, which she hopes to commit to a demo or EP in the next six months.

But where's Abby?

Despite what the naysayers will tell you (and, by golly, this town has naysayers by the scores—see Metroblab any day for proof of this assertion.), it's actually true that Knoxvillians can and do "make it" in the dreaded and reviled music industry.

This time around, the grabber of the golden ring is Knox expatriate Kip Ulhorn. The former guitarist of Knoxcore standard-bearers The Red Scare now resides in New York City, where he's a member of Panthers. The band, often described in the indie press as a "post-hardcore super-group," has just inked a deal with the ultra-hip label, Vice Records, an imprint of Warner Brothers.

Though Panthers are just now reaping the benefits of national exposure, they're certainly not newcomers. "We've been around almost three years now," says Ulhorn, "So it's kind of frustrating being judged by our formers bands. Luckily, the 'ex-members-of' thing seems to be dissipating."

Ulhorn and company have been busy of late, playing high profile shows around the United States and just returning from almost a month in the UK. At present, Panthers are on the road with NYC critics' darlings, A.R.E. Weapons.

The band is often lumped in with the current crop of NYC scenesters making waves in the post-Strokes' milieu. Panthers doesn't exactly fit in with the nu-garage set, but it has the requisite hipness to survive in the big leagues. And it sure doesn't hurt that the band's music is great, kind of a new Stooges with artsy tendencies and an occasional foray into more dance-oriented material. Panthers' current EP, Let's Get Serious (Dim Mak Records) is proof positive that the band actually deserves the hype.

"I think we're lucky because we've played with a lot of the popular New York groups and gotten some exposure," says Ulhorn. "Then again, it's sort of a blessing because we're not totally grouped in with that New York City, garage revival thing. When the backlash comes, we don't want to go down with it."

Scott's No. 1!

Two Knoxville artists are climbing the Americana Airplay chart, and Scott Miller currently holds the No. 1 position with his recent release, Upside Downside. He holds that spot above such luminaries as Gillian Welch, The Jayhawks, Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash, and Ricky Skaggs. Hot on Mr. Miller's heels are Robinella and the CCstringband, who climbed from 17 to 13 this week with their eponymous Columbia release. For further updates, check out the Americana Music Association website at http://www.americanamusic.org.

Go.

Thursday: The Rockwells make great, British-inspired rock and you can hear them for free at the Preservation Pub. Check them out after the free Radiators show at Sundown in the City.

Friday: Head west for sushi. Then take in the ska show at Brickyard Blues.

Saturday: Knoxville has no shortage of under-appreciated bands. One of them is The French Broads and they'll be playing for free at the new ThInQ Tank.

Sunday: If weird music is your thing, catch Devendra Banhart, Xiu Xiu and 7 Year Rabbit Cycle at the Pilot Light.

Monday: There's a ribbon in the willow/ and a tire swing rope/ and a briar patch of berries/ takin over the slope/ the cat'll sleep in the mailbox/ and we'll never go to town/ til we bury every dream in the cold cold ground.

Tuesday: Hip hop this big and this great doesn't come to Knoxville often—go see Jurassic 5 at Blue Cats.

Wednesday: Bluegrass from Maine that has a Western feel? Hear the Piners at Barley's.

—Madame "I'll always pretend that you're mine" Georgie with Paige Travis, John Sewell and Joe Tarr