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Free Speech Now
For once, it seems that everybody and his brother has got something to say about politics. With the upcoming presidential election looming on the horizon, quasi-celebrities of every ilk are coming out of the woodwork to express their opinions.
Knoxville’s one and only cultural terrorist, punk bard, voice of the criminal underground and all around renaissance man, Christopher Scum (nee Chris Andrews) has stepped up to the plate—not to tell anyone how to vote but to encourage and enable people to voice their own opinions at the polls. Scum’s hosting a “Freedom of Speech and Voter Registration Rally” at the Electric Ballroom on Friday, Aug. 27, and he’s hoping the evening’s mix of rowdy rock ’n’ roll and spoken word performance will bring the kids out in droves.
“My political motivation is just to get people there and get them to register,” says Scum. “I work at a lot of rock shows and I see all these kids hanging out. They’ve got their anarchy badges and they’re all bitching about everything. So I started asking people if they were going to vote, and only about half of them were even registered. I’m talking about kids around 21 years old that don’t even have an idea how to register. So maybe if the registration is right there in front of their faces, they’ll do it.”
The event will feature music by local acts Speed Shifter, That, U.S. Police State, Euphoria, Asheville’s Monsters of Japan and the debut of Scum’s new band, Dirty Works (That’s dirty works as in dirty syringes) and orations by street poet Rus Harper, Chris Bidwell, Extreme Radio’s Phat Ass and maybe even a rant by Scum himself. “If there’s an open mic, you know I’ll be up there,” says Scum. “I can’t keep my big mouth shut.”
The concert will be Dirty Works’ debut performance. The band features Bill Irwin (a.k.a. Daisy “Chain” McGraw of Evil Twin infamy) on guitar, Brad (also an alum of Evil Twin) on bass, Lorenzo Gray on drums and Scum on vocals.
“This is our debut, but you never know about these things,” enthuses Scum. “It might be our last show. I might just kill myself, or at least end up in critical condition.
“I’m glad to finally be up front in this band. Since I’m not going to play guitar, I can actually move around some.”
Concertgoers can rest assured that though Scum is sure to be a little bit, ahem, rambunctious during the show, the only danger he’ll pose is to himself. “My girlfriend always goes through my pockets before I play, just to be sure I don’t have anything sharp on me.”
New Music Now
Tim Lee released his latest CD, No Discretion, this week and you’ll have two chances to catch him play live this weekend. The album was recorded with an allstar local cast (Don Coffey Jr., Todd Steed, Jim Rivers, John Baker among many others) as well as Mitch Easter (the famed producer and Let’s Active frontman).
The band will play Saturday, Aug. 28, at Patrick Sullivans, with the amazing Westside Daredevils opening. The next night, they return to Sullivans for Benny Smith’s Americana Jukebox radio show, broadcast on West 105.3. Mic Harrison will also play tracks on the show from his excellent new record, Pallbearer’s Shoes. Doors open at 7:30, the music lasts from 8 to 10 p.m.
The World Owes Him
The University of Tennessee Libraries has named poet and musician, R.B. Morris its new writer-in-residence. The position involves organizing the library’s reading series of writers and give him time to work on his poetry. “R.B. was our first, and only, Writers in the Library performer to be backed up by a double bass,” says Barbara Dewey, Dean of Libraries. “His talent is a great asset to our program. We’re thrilled to have him on board.”
Go.
Thursday: The Weary Boys at Preservation Pub.
Friday: Go watch a movie for free on Market Square, with the library’s series debut, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Then head down to Barley’s to catch Kat Brock (sans Dixie Dirt pals) and Todd Steed. Bum cigarettes off of your friends.
Saturday: After the art show at the Woodruff Building (with Cortney Tidwell) head down to the Pilot Light for Crime and Judy with the High Score.
Sunday: Sleep in late. Then start a long day of drinking with brunch at Barley’s. Sober up with a stroll along the riverfront. Later head over to the Preservation Pub and listen to Sara Schwabe & Her Yankee Jass Band.
Monday: Write someone a letter.
Tuesday: Head west to hear Sarah Clapp at 4620.
Wednesday: If we want a beloved community, we must stand for justice, have recognition for difference without attaching difference to privilege.
—John Sewell, Joe Tarr
August 26, 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 35
© 2004 Metro Pulse
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