Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Something to Look Forward To

Eye has reported on a number of bands that have called it quits in the past year, but here's a new outfit that sounds damn intriguing. Mic Harrison (former V-roy and Superdrag), Don Coffey Jr. (Superdrag) and Tim and Susan Bauer Lee are joining forces for a project they're tentatively calling "In-line Six" (you know, like the car engine). "Initially, it will likely be a vehicle for Mic's solo material. He has a pretty great record nearly finished," Tim Lee says. "Then it goes wherever it goes."

"Tim and Susan came over one night to hang out at the studio. Don wanted to meet Tim," Harrison says. "After a few beers, it was like 'Y'all want to play together?' A few Budweisers is how that came about.... We seem to work pretty good together. Me and Tim write similarly. I think it's going to be great. We'll see how it goes after we play a few shows together."

The band name is so far tentative. "Band names suck because you've got to live with them. 'In-line Six' is not blowing my socks off," Harrison says.

The group tried out a few songs last Wednesday at the ThInQ Tank's new Knoxville Music Night.

All of the performers are staying active in other projects. The Lees lead the Tim Lee Band, playing every Wednesday night at T.T., Tim and Mic both have solo records in the works, and Don (who got married a few weeks ago) is producing Mic's record and working on other recordings at Studio 613.

Their first official show will be at the ThInQ Tank for the Hellbender Press benefit Sept. 12.

Knoxville Alumni

Former Knoxvillian Brian Bell is probably the area's most successful export, at least on the stage. (Of course, we can't forget the Grammy-winning producer, Nick Raskulinecz, but that's another story.) As a member of the oh-so-successful Weezer, Bell's been living the rock star life for well over a decade.

Unbeknownst to many, Bell has included his Karns High School rock 'n' roll buddies in his "other" project, Space Twins. (Bell grew up in Karns but attended that school only briefly, spending most of his time at Bearden High.) Knox expats Glen and Tim Maloof (who now live in L.A.) have been full-time members of the Twins for several years. (Savvy scenesters will remember Los Bros. Maloof from their tenure in the Tuffskins (early '90s) and in Blooshroom in the mid-to-late '80s.)

"Tim and Glen are brothers, and we spent our formative musical years together," Bell says. "We played hooky from school together; and we all started playing instruments at the same time. So it seemed natural to play with them again."

The Twins have released a debut CD, The End of Imagining on their own Raga Drop label, financed by Bell. Sure, it's chock full of catchy pop. But don't expect a Weezer knockoff. Instead, the band offers classic, lysergic rock in the grand tradition of Sgt. Peppers and Pet Sounds.

"I'm hoping someone will come up with a good way to classify it," says Bell. "We never set out to be garage or to be retro. All I can say is that we're a rock band. I just want it to fit into the category of good music."

Bell's the famous guy in the band, but Space Twins isn't a solo vehicle. Tim Maloof writes and sings lead on a fourth of the songs on the CD.

"I do consider Space Twins to be a separate band—even though it will probably be perceived as a side project," Bell says. "But it was very important to me that we've included Tim's songs on the album."

As to the group's immediate plans, Bell says they intend to continue playing steadily on the West Coast, hopefully building up a following in their own right.

"With the setup of Weezer as it is now, we're all free to pursue other things. Space Twins is not about the money, but we can always dream. This is something I've wanted to express for a long time. And we're not going to do it in the traditional way."

The End of Imagining is available at hip Knoxville stores or can be purchased at the band's site, www.SpaceTwins.com

Go.

Thursday: The North Mississippi Allstars will help you cope with the dogdays of summer at Sundown. Don't forget to tip at the gate.

Friday: The Laurel Theater is a treasure and one of the best places to see a show. Go help support it at this weekend benefit.

Saturday: What's the point in promoting a show I know I'm not going to see? I won't lie to you—there's nothing that excites me tonight (other than the Laurel benefit) so you're on your own.

Sunday: I know, this sounds like benefit week, but haven't you been blowing your money on stupid crap these days? Spend it on something that will make you feel better and help out Chris McMahon at Patrick Sullivan's. Plus the tunes are worth it.

Monday: Investigate the great East Knoxville eats Jack Neely uncovered in this week's issue. Burp!

Tuesday: Go home and clean cat puke off your floor. Then go lose your cynicism with Fredda Valentine at Judy's II.

Wednesday: On his way back with the water, he got lost on a detour around a fallen tree, and as he looked for his way through the woods, he heard a voice ask from the underbrush, "Have you anything to drink?" He saw a uniform. Thinking there was just one soldier, he approached with water. When he had penetrated the bushes, he saw there were about twenty men, and they were all in exactly the same nightmarish state: their faces were wholly burned, their eyesockets were hollow, the fluid from their melted eyes had run down their cheeks.

—Madame "or one could weep because another wept" Georgie with Joe Tarr and John Sewell