Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

In Front of the Green Screen

The Gypsy Hands Tribal Belly Dance Troupe traveled to Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago to film a DVD with the guitarist Yanni Papadopoulos of the band Stinking Lizaveta.

The DVD will include a core group of Gypsy Hands troupe—leader Sara Griscom, Jackie Cole, Anna Niceley, Lindsey Hope Rogers, and Claire Metz—dancing to music by Papadopoulos. The DVD is expected to be ready this fall and will have national distribution, Griscom says, marketed to places like food co-ops, health food and New Age stores.

The project has been in the works for a while. Papadopoulos and a drummer have played for a belly-dancing class in their hometown and had wanted to film them. But they didn't feel like they'd had the right dancers.

Last fall the Gypsy Hands group opened for Stinking Lizaveta at the Pilot Light, and Papadopoulos was impressed. He started working with Griscom, and the two played together at Bonnaroo.

The project was something of a challenge for the dancers. The artistic visions of the various people involved were not necessarily in line, Griscom says.

Papadopoulos's partner—who is financing the project—had them dance in front of a green screen, so images could be superimposed later with computers—an idea Griscom isn't too keen on. "I think he was having visions of us around the world dancing," she says.

The dancing conditions weren't that ideal either. "It felt retarded being in front of that green screen," Griscom says. "Nothing against the guy doing this, but being in that situation was kind of inhibiting. The light was pretty bright on us. That's just not what we're used to. And there were constant retakes too. They'd run out of film and we'd have to redo it to make everything match. We were worn out."

But Griscom is hopeful the DVD will be something she can proud of. The crew also shot footage of the group dancing in a more natural setting. "[The producer] is really good-hearted and his intent is pure," she says. Griscom also really likes the music of Papadopoulos, who "swears he'll be right there fighting for us." You can see the Gypsy Hands troupe in action Saturday at ThInQ Tank.

We're All Infected

Local roughneck rock outfit the American Plague entered the studio this month to begin work on a new album, hopefully for release in October. According to Plague frontman Jaw, a few small indie labels have expressed interest in the forthcoming disc.

In the meantime, the Plague has quietly added a fourth member, Scott Oxendine, powerhouse lead guitarist late of local rockers Galaxie and Big 10-4. The band will hit the road this fall for a series of dates to include Cincinnati's Midpoint Music Festival (Sept. 24-27) as well as some slots opening for Frisco-based AC/DShe, an all-girl AC/DC tribute band (!) with familial ties to Plague bassist Dave Dammit.

But Every Night Is Music Night in Knoxville!

Starting next week, the Tim Lee Band will begin hosting Knoxville Music Night every Wednesday from 9 to 11 p.m. at the ThInQ Tank. The band—which features Tim and Susan Bauer Lee, Jason White, John Baker (of the French Broads) and Po Hannah—will play a few songs each week and then have guest musicians, both local and out-of-town, join the band for a few numbers. "More self-contained bands will be invited to come play short sets using our equipment," Tim Lee says. Todd Steed and Leslie Woods are slated for this Wednesday. Others who have expressed interest so far include R.B. Morris, Mic Harrison, Chick Graning, Rus Harper, Hector Qirko, and John Baker (as a solo artist).

Go.

Thursday: Junior Brown rocks. Check him out at Sundown in the Old City. Don't forget to tip.

Friday: Malcolm Holcomb is one hell of a songwriter, and you can see him for free at Barley's.

Saturday: The ThInQ Tank has been open for several weeks, but they're just now getting around to having a grand opening, an obnoxious media ploy I'd normally tell you to stay clear of. But, hey, it's a rare line-up—Boy Genius, the late '90s rockers whom we haven't heard in a while (think of them as the house band—bassist Scott West runs the joint); 30 Amp Fuse, another old band we don't get to hear enough of; the Gypsy Hands dancers; and DJ Mathematicus. Plus they might be giving away free stuff!

Sunday: Give your liver a few hours rest. Then have some friends over for a big vegetarian feast and drink wine (you've earned it!). After that check out Scareoke—the Goth's version of kareoke—at Ivy's.

Monday: Sip martinis, snap your fingers and groove to the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra at 4620. Don't forget your beret.

Tuesday: The honest truth with which I went about my task has shamed them all. They may as well tear out their tongues and pluck out their eyes, because they called me whore and harlot, as they stared at the curves of my breasts and legs beneath my dress. But what they wouldn't give to be whispering in my ear, arms around me between two white sheets.

Wednesday: Check out the inaugural Knoxville Music Night at the ThInQ Tank.

—Madame "would it matter if I said I'm lonely" Georgie with Joe Tarr and Mike Gibson