Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Right of the Dial

Citadel Broadcasting paid lip service to keeping the format for 100.3 FM The River when it took over management of WOKI in August. But many fans of the old River realize the station has been largely gutted, with the playlist drastically changed and many of the old personnel gone.

But in its wake, Knoxville might be getting something better. Last week, WEST 105.3 went on the air, broadcasting the same AAA format (album adult alternative) that the old River did. The station's operator, Horne Radio, promises a mix of old and new rock artists, Americana, blues, as well as local artists. During the first weekend, the station broadcast the likes of Scott Miller, the Replacements and the Strokes.

The station—which used to play '80s music—also promises to be active in promoting local shows and events and helping to raise money for local charities.

"We just looked at it like we're the only locally-owned radio group in town so it makes sense for us to do something more local," says Todd Ethridge, program director. "We want to support local artists and play Superdrag, Robinella, Scott Miller and just build a rock format around it that's just a huge variety. In a way, we kind of looked at ourselves as a diamond in the rough. We're a smaller group that can do what we want.

"It is the triple-A format, but the beauty of the format is it's really up to the programmers. If you look at the triple-A stations around the country, they're all different. There are some common threads, but they're all different. It's a wide open canvas," Ethridge says.

"Everyone around here is really excited. It's kind of like the spirit of college radio but with better production," he adds.

The name, WEST 105.3, is what the station went by when Doug Horne bought it, Ethridge says. "He said if we're going to go back to our roots, why not go back to the old name."

The station has hired some of the staff from the old River. "We definitely took some cues from the old River on how to be in touch with the community. It's kind of cool, you can turn it into a big happy family. It almost feels like you're playing songs for a bunch of friends," Ethridge says.

Perhaps the biggest news is that it will be home for the "The Americana Café," the great show that used to run on the River and was produced by Benny Smith. Smith—who is joining Metro Pulse's staff as promotions director—is working as a consultant with the station, helping them with programming.

The Café will be on the air every Sunday night for a few hours once Smith recovers from recent vocal surgery. And as of yesterday, the station started broadcasting an Americana Café from noon to 1 p.m. It'll be on every weekday, with DJs filling in until Smith gets his voice back.

What the Hell?

The Hellbender Press is a small muckraking environmental and social justice paper that you can find free around town. You can always learn something from it, and like any good paper it will sometimes piss you off, whether it's because you can't stand the injustice they've uncovered or because you're bristling at the damn liberal viewpoint.

The paper was created almost five years ago by Mike Knapp, Thomas Fraser, and Rick Vaughan. Since then it's grown from publishing occasionally to publishing every two months.

"When we formed it what we wanted to do was provide people with a news outlet that looked discreetly at environmental and social issues, trying to do some deeper digs on certain stories," Knapp says. One of the stories he's proud of examined the religious right's role in the Tennessee tax reform debate.

Papers like this are born when the mainstream media is ignoring important issues or audiences. Metro Pulse began as such a paper, so we have an affinity for their mission.

"The ownership [of media] was becoming more concentrated and we're concerned that alternative voices besides the media corporations are heard," Knapp says.

Here, here.

With almost five years under their belt, the paper is now trying to get to the next level. That includes growing circulation, getting more advertisers and more writers. And to finally reward the hard working volunteers who put it out. "We want to be able to start paying writers and paying people for other work, like distribution," says editor-at-large Rikki Hall.

What the hell does this have to do with music? Well, the first ever Hellbender benefit—aptly named "Hellraiser 2K3"—will be held Friday at the ThInQ Tank. If you don't care too much for progressive politics or grassroots media, the music is well worth showing up for. For one thing, it'll be the first official set of In-Line Six, a new vehicle of Mic Harrison, Don Coffey, and Tim and Susan Lee. Also playing are Blackgrass and Leslie Woods.

A reception starts at 6 p.m. and the music at 9 p.m.

Go.

Thursday: There is such a thing as hatred in this world. The hippies are trying to cure it but I do not think they will be able to.

Friday: Go raise hell at the ThInQ Tank.

Saturday: If loud, tight funk is your thing, The Spades Band are for you. At Barley's.

Sunday: Go get lost at the Tennesse Valley Fair. It's your last chance of the year.

Monday: Go eat dinner at your favorite neighborhood restaurant and then have a drink at your favorite neighborhood bar. No driving!

Tuesday: Cheryl Renee at Ricky's Sports Pub & Grill.

Wednesday: A Slideshow poet? Only at the Pilot Light.

—Madame "It is a fearful thing to love something that death can touch" Georgie with Joe Tarr