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A New Force
A lot of people in the know talk about the great musical talent you hear around town, but go to a club that has live entertainment every night, and you tend to see the same artists over and over again. The truth is that not many clubs are willing to take risks on unestablished groups, especially those of certain genres like hip hop, soul or electronic music. And there are countless bands in town who you will only see at the Pilot Light.
But a new collective called KnoxMusicForce is working to change that, and you can see the results of their first effort Saturday with a free show in Market Square from 3 to 7 p.m.
“The idea is to raise community awareness of its own local talent. We feel there’s so much untapped talent out there. You should be able to go to a bar and hear a different act every night, but that’s not usually the case,” says Andy Jaynes, one of the organizers (and an advertising assistant at Metro Pulse). “It’s very confined to what bands they let play. There’s so much more here.”
The first show will feature Mr. Watson, Fluid Engineerz, and Phenzelle—all hip-hop acts. There will also be an MC battle. Food vendors will be on hand.
“The first one is hip hop. We chose to start with that because it gets the least amount of attention,” Jaynes says, referring to stereotypes of gangsta rap that continue to taint the genre.
But the group is not limited to supporting any genre in particular. “Wouldn’t it be great if we could do a symphony on the square? Nobody is thinking along those lines,” he says.
KnoxMusicForce hopes to get enough clout among the local clubs that it can help open the doors of clubs for unknown musical acts with its sponsorship. If it gets enough respect, it hopes to be able to stage a multi-act event at some of the bigger clubs, featuring lesser-known performers.
Look for more KnoxMusicForce shows at clubs this fall and winter and hopefully a larger show in Market Square in the spring. For more information, check out the website www.knoxmusicforce.com. Helping sponsor the event is Guitar Center, which is loaning sound equipment.
The White House
Back in the day when subbluecollar was active on the music scene, the band lived in a white house at 1630 Forest Avenue. Like most people who spend a little time in Fort Sanders, the house and the late-night parties it hosted turned into treasured memories.
Subbluecollar drummer Dave Campbell, currently of umanoSumana, recently bought the house, and he’s renting it to a collective of folks who are trying to do something a lot cooler than tearing it down for a parking lot or an ugly apartment complex.
“Our dream, our goal with it, is to make it more of a cooperative sort of thing. We wanted to get a hold of the house to see where we could go with it and also just to have house shows again,” says Kat Brock, guitar player and singer for Dixie Dirt and a subbluecollar alumna.
Some of the space is being rented out to artists for studios. The group is hosting shows at the house every other Friday. “People enjoy going to the Fort and watching a show. It’s just a different social environment,” Brock says.
“Whatever money is made, none of it goes in anyone’s pocket, it all goes to the next event,” she adds. “We eventually want to get to where the shows run themselves and save enough money to buy a PA. This isn’t a profit venture.”
Eventually they’d like to host film nights, guest speakers, and poetry slams. UT professor Marilyn Kallet might teach a poetry class here next spring. “We’re open to any kind of event that somebody wants to have that they don’t have the space for,” Brock says.
This Saturday, the group will host a four-band concert featuring Garage Deluxe, The Royal Bangs, IQ 180, and a subbluecollar reunion. Donations to the cause will be accepted.
Go.
Thursday: Go hear Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and Keane in Market Square for free.
Friday: Drink coffee and eat croissants in Market Square while watching the beautiful and amazing Audrey Hepburn star in Breakfast at Tiffanys. Pitter patter!
Saturday: Check out the above listed show of your choice in Market Square or in the Fort. Later head to the Pilot Light for Low Skies.
Sunday: What’s better than beer and Robinella and pizza at Barley’s?
Monday: No one’s making any noise now. Shhh! Stay quiet.
Tuesday: Check out the weirdness of The Cramps at Blue Cats.
Wednesday: Jump, little children, to the band now called just Jump at Blue Cats.
—Joe Tarr
September 23, 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 39
© 2004 Metro Pulse
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