33 minute read
TUGGING ON YOUR GUITAR’S HEART STRINGS
Tugging On Your
Guitar’s Heart Strings
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Special fundraiser benefits a multitalented lady
Positive Vibes All Around
14 • THE PULSE • MARCH 5, 2020 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM “There is one thing I have learned about the scene here in Chattanooga over the last two decades; we look out for each other…”
I’ve sat here contemplating those words for a bit now, and I have to say the fellow who said them really knew what he was talking about. I couldn’t say it better myself, in no small part because I’m the one who said them the first time around.
I lifted the line from a write-up I did a few years back for a benefit show that was held on behalf of a local artist who was just beginning a battle with cancer. I’m happy to report that she beat the disease and the benefit raised enough money to sustain her through an unimaginably difficult time.
Today I find myself in the bitterI HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT MUSIC ON AND OFF for well over two decades now; I’ve written several hundred articles just for The Pulse alone. There are more than a few common elements that run through that body of work but I suspect the most readily apparent would be that I’m not stingy with praise. By Marc T. Michael Pulse Music Editor A sweet, sweet sound that is reminiscent of all the peaceful things in life: a perfect cup of coffee, the summertime sun, maybe the crackling of a campfire.
I’m describing Jason Lyles’ voice, and his guitar playing perfectly coordinates with his vocals to create the feeling of warmth and home, drawing you in with the first strum.
If there’s a sound that represents security, it certainly can be found in his music. “Positivity is my thing,” Jason says, and you can tell he means it with original songs like “Lift Me Up” and “Stronger Than This”, which he says perfectly exemplifies what he is as a musician and songwriter. “The song is unapologetically upbeat and positive, and it lends an encouraging word to whoever needs to hear it.” Jason will be taking the Pax Breu Ruim stage this Thursday at 7 p.m. to show off music from his new album, and he won’t be alone. William Bowers will be opening the show to set the chill atmosphere, and Tyler Green will make an appearance alongside Jason to perform collaborated covers.
Jason will show you how to wash your worries away with plenty of uplifting vibes to go around. If you like what you hear, you can pick up a copy of his CD and a t-shirt after the show to keep the optimism flowing — Lindsey Clute sweet position of writing a similar article. Bitter, because of the circumstances that have made a benefit necessary, and sweet because the outpouring of love and support in this instance reaffirms that longago quote as a “Great Truth”. The artistic community in our fair city is more family than community, and we do indeed look out for one another.
I’d be hard pressed to name a better-known figure in the scene than Amy Nelson. If you don’t know her, you know someone who does (and ought to take the time to say hello yourself.) Her contributions to music, art, and culture here are voluminous. Hundreds of folks have their own, “How I met Amy” story. For myself, I first met Amy when we were instructors at the inaugural Chattanooga Girl’s Rock Camp, some of the most grueling fun I’ve ever had.
Being a close and intense environment, you get to know your coworker quickly. Amy turned out to be one of the sweetest, toughest, kindest, smartest, no-nonsense individuals I have ever met.
Being locked in a small room with five pre-teens and loud instruments is somewhat less serene than holding a metal garbage can over your head while someone strikes it vigorously with a ball-peen hammer, but she was a model of pa-
tience, understanding, and dedication and I consider it an honor to this day that I got to work with her to train up our girls from complete novices to rock stars in the space of a week.
In short, I learned what so many other people already knew, that there is a great deal to respect, admire, and love about Amy Nelson.
Already a cancer survivor, Amy recently had to undergo emergency aortic repair. Yup, having kicked cancer’s ass, the universe decided to throw open heart surgery in for good measure, but when I called Amy tough, that wasn’t a thoughtless adjective. She is easily one of the rock solid toughest people I have ever met. She came through the surgery and is on a long road to recovery now and if you know nothing else about medicine in this country, you know that it is expensive, devastatingly so. This Saturday, Exile Off Main Street is hosting the Straight from the Heart benefit party for Amy and the list of contributing artists and musicians is exhaustive. Opening at noon, the benefit will offer original pieces, prints, jewelry and more from local artists including Alecia Vera Buckles Thomas Foote, Heather Lacy, Jamie Jameson, Megan Foster, Morgan Oostra, Meri Wright, Carrie Warren, Jackie Blue, Kathleen Vlodek, Barrot Rendelman, Emily Compton, and Travis Knight.
Performing musicians include Sammy David, Lewis and Clark, Matthew Bohannon, Changers, Dalahäst, Lillian, Possible Side Effects, One Timers, Ghetto Blasters, Rosey Grier, Mixed Signals, and Tourist Trap.
Food will be provided by Sluggo’s Vegan Cafe, treats from Sweet Briar Vegan, and Ourluck Print will be doing screen-printing on site (bring your own or purchase one there).
The event will run until 7 p.m. and all proceeds go directly to benefit Amy. There is no admission, but the suggested donation is $10 to $15. Or more, if your wallet supports it.
Folks, I tend to be a cheerleader for the scene, my enthusiasm is no secret, and it is moments like this that illustrate better than anything else why that is.
Chattanooga’s artists of all streets really are family. This Saturday please consider coming to the reunion.
THU3.5
Larry Ochs’ Fictive Five (Less One Live) You've read about them here, now come see them live and see why they're so good. 7:30 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
FRI3.6
Mojo Whiskey Somewhere between sweet tea and an assault charge is the southern rock sound known as Mojo Whiskey. 9 p.m. HiFi Clyde’s 122 W. Main St. hificlydeschattanooga.com
SAT3.7
Road To Nightfall Finals Come out and root for your favroite local band to make it to the Nightfall stage this summer. 9 p.m. Songbirds South 41 Station St. songbirds.rocks
THURSDAY3.5
16 • THE PULSE • MARCH 5, 2020 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM Danimal & Friends 6 p.m. WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com David Anthony & Paul Stone 6 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Jason Lyles 7 p.m. Pax Breu Ruim 516 E. Main St. (423) 648-4677 Toby Hewitt 7 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Larry Ochs’ Fictive Five (Less One Live) 7:30 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Naomi Ingram 7:30 p.m. Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com CSO Presents: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 7:30 p.m. Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. chattanoogasymphony.org Carl T. Band 7:30 p.m. The FEED Co. Table and Tavern 201 W. Main St. feedtableandtavern.com Big Bad Voodoo Daddy 8 p.m. Walker Theatre 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com Today Is The Day, The Obsessed 9 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 265-8711 Jess Goggins Band, Emma’s Lounge 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com
FRIDAY3.6
Courtney Holder 6:30 p.m. Westin Dorato Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Rubiks Groove 7 p.m. Songbirds North 35 Station St. songbirds.rocks Hill City Sessions: Tin Cup Rattlers 7 p.m. Chattanooga Brewing Co. 1804 Chestnut St. chattabrew.com Newsboys United: Greatness of our God Tour 7 p.m. Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com Wendy Case and Michael McCallie 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga State Humanities Theatre 4501 Amnicola Hwy. chattanoogastate.edu Courtney Holder 7:30 p.m. Gate 11 Distillery 1400 Market St. gate11distillery.com Cody Ray 7:30 p.m. Cadek Conservatory 751 Oak St. utc.edu Jesse Jungkurth 7:30 p.m. Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com JettSam 8 p.m. The Bicycle Bar 45 E. Main St. (423) 475-6569 No Traffik, Palace Crashers, Sammy David, El Rocko 8 p.m. The Spot of Chattanooga 1800 E. Main St. facebook.com/1800EMain Ben Chapman Trio 8 p.m. Fireside Grille 3018 Cummings Hwy. firesidechattanooga.com Eli Young Band 8 p.m. The Signal 1810 Chestnut St. thesignaltn.com Tennessee Tremblers with Flattop Boxers 8 p.m. WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Emerald Butler 8 p.m. Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Eric Nelson with Ashley Krey 9 p.m. Barley Chattanooga 235 E. MLK Blvd. chattanoogabarley.com Gino Fanelli 9 p.m. The FEED Co. Table and Tavern 201 W. Main St. feedtableandtavern.com Smitty Rocks 9 p.m. Big River Grille 222 Broad St. bigrivergrille.com Mojo Whiskey 9 p.m. HiFi Clyde’s 122 W. Main St. hificlydeschattanooga.com Murkury, Haley Lane, Willy Style 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Thomas Hinds 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Jon Worthy & the Bends with Adam Brock & Friends 9 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 265-8711 Dar Williams w/ Heather Maloney 9 p.m. Songbirds South 41 Station St. songbirds.rocks Jordan Hallquist 10 p.m. Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Aunt Betty 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com
SATURDAY3.7
Danimal 10:30 a.m. Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Straight From The Heart Benefit Noon Exile Off Main Street 1634 Rossville Ave. David Ingle and Friends 6 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com A Tribute To The Queen, Aretha Franklin 6 p.m. Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. theatrecentre.com Ryan Oyer 6:30 p.m. Westin Dorato Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Triumphant Qt. Karen Peck and New River Inspirations 6:30 p.m. Memorial Auditorium 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com The Doyle and Debbie Show 7 p.m. Songbirds North 35 Station St. songbirds.rocks Heatherly 7:30 p.m. Gate 11 Distillery 1400 Market St. gate11distillery.com Webb Barringer 7:30 p.m. Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Paul Smith & Sky High Band 8 p.m.
Eagles Club 6128 Airways Blvd. foe.com Ben Chapman 8 p.m. Doc Holiday’s Bar and Grill 742 Ashland Terr. docholidaysbarandgrill.com Joe Buchanan 8 p.m. Jewish Cultural Center 5461 N. Terrace Rd. jewishchattanooga.com Daniel Boiling 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org Dallas Walker 8 p.m. Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Mother Legacy 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Jason Lyles 9 p.m. Big River Grille 222 Broad St. bigrivergrille.com Voodoo Slim 9 p.m. HiFi Clyde’s 122 W. Main St. hificlydeschattanooga.com Black Magic Flower Power, Brother Hawk, Sick Ride 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Noah Marr, C-Grimey, Ez DaPoet & Milz + Friends 9 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. (423) 265-8711 Ludge, GG Wallin, Happy Camper, Nice Things 9 p.m. WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Road To Nightfall Finals 9 p.m. Songbirds South 41 Station St. songbirds.rocks Aunt Betty 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com
SUNDAY3.8
The Briars 11 a.m. Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Carl Pemberton 11 a.m. Westin Chattanooga 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com 9th Street Stompers 11 a.m. STIR 1444 Market St. stirchattanooga.com My Name Is Preston Noon Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com Heatherly 1:30 p.m. Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Free Fiddle School 2 p.m. Fiddlers Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd. (423) 994-7497 E.T. 3 p.m. WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Jubal 6:30 p.m. The Woodshop 5500 St. Elmo Ave. thewoodshop.space Behold The Brave, Brother Lee and the Leather Jackals 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com
MONDAY3.9
Open Air with Jessica Nunn 6 p.m. The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m. The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Blues Night Open Jam 7 p.m. Songbirds South 41 Station St. songbirds.rocks Zach Pietrini & McKenna Bray 8 p.m. The Spot of Chattanooga 1800 E. Main St. facebook.com/1800EMain Ida York 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Moon Kissed, Self Help, Field Hockey 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com
TUESDAY3.10
Tyler Martelli & Maria Jordania 5 p.m. WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Heart Strings for Hope 6 p.m. Memorial Auditorium 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com Acoustic Bohemian Night 6:30 p.m. Mexi-Wing IX 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Danimal 7 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com The Neighborhood feat. DJ & Marv 7 p.m. Plus Coffee 3800 St. Elmo Ave. pluscoffee.com Megan Howard 7:30 p.m. Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Live Jam Session 8 p.m. The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m. Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Ran Adams 8 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Nordista Freeze, Keem the Cipher 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com
WEDNESDAY3.11
Jesse James Jungkurth 7 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Greg Tardy Quartet feat. Taber Gable 7 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Gino Fanelli 7:30 p.m. Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Chiddy Powers, Taking Meds, dannythestreet, Niiice 7:30 p.m. The Spot of Chattanooga 1800 E. Main St. facebook.com/1800EMain Tyson Leamon 9 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Minnesota 9 p.m. Songbirds North 35 Station St. songbirds.rocks
Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com
New Music From Time Is Fire, Kassa Overall
Time Is Fire In Pieces (Electric Cowbell/Insect Fields)
Overcoming cognitive dissonance while making sense of a day in the life in Washington D.C. has long driven the capital city’s music scene.
Be it the wild go-go rhythms of Chuck Brown and EU or the full-throttle hardcore and post-hardcore that Minor Threat and Fugazi broadcast unto the world, strength lies in bold creativity.
Time is Fire’s latest album, In Pieces, pushes these ideas forward as a composite new form blending dance, punk, and protest music with Persian and other worldly inflections. From the tropical salvo of “My Sins” to the caustic funk and noise of “We Declare”, the group lays its cards on the
Kassa Overall I Think I’m Good (Brownswood Recordings)
table.
Late ‘80s punk funk à la Big Boys, Gang of Four’s lacerating guitar, and Mdou Moctar’s electric psychedelia collide in songs such as “Didn’t See It Coming”, “Norms”, and the album’s anthemic peak, “Poor Is Poor”.
Under the guidance of producer Brendan Canty (Fugazi, the Messthetics), each song moves forward with bright and energetic layers of rhythm.
Singer Kamyar Arsani’s blend of Iranian classical training with punk fortitude takes some getting used to. His unrestrained vibrato and bellow sometimes evoke the voice of an exhausted Jello Biafra, and he occasionally rolls his r’s like PiL leader John Lydon.
But in the context of D.C., post-hardcore Arsani is a disruptive force making room for all sorts of new possibilities. Matthew Perrone and Jeff Barsky’s interlocking guitars and Kai Filipczak’s bass coalesce in “Red” and “Impossible Nights”, featuring Turkish dream pop singer Christina Marie of Yeni Nostalji.
Drummer Jim Thomson was a founding member of GWAR, and later played in the saxophone and flute-driven improv outfit Alter-Natives. By nature, these songs challenge the status quo of their hometown’s music scene; a chore that’s not to be taken lightly. Each number creates a balanced momentum that’s tailor-made for Arsani’s songs of protest, skewering everything from gun violence to Pizzagate.
The album’s subtleties work in its favor in the long run, but these qualities can get lost in the blur of big, ecstatic melody and punk-fueled energy. As such, In Pieces reveals layers of depth with each listen.
Seattle-born, Brooklyn resident Kassa Overall strikes back with his second album, I Think I’m Good. The title is a statement of being of sorts. If there were questions lingering about the potency of his blend of jazz and hip-hop after his 2019 debut, Go Get Ice Cream and Listen to Jazz, I Think I’m Good puts them to bed.
On the surface, songs such as “Please Don’t Kill Me”, “I Know You See Me”, and “Sleeping On the Train” take shape like notebook doodles brought to life. They are the meandering ruminations of a sensitive, creative mind brought to life with a streamof-consciousness flow.
And while these missives are countered by fully formed songs such as “Show Me A Prison” and “Darkness In Mind”, it’s the brittle balance between these elements that keep the album bound by an invisible but ever-present dark matter.
I Think I’m Good exists in a dream state—unrestrained thoughts play out amid layers of both hi-fi and backpack production creating a more mysterious version of Kassa Overall than anything else he’s revealed so far. Clearly, improvisation plays a role in finding song structures. The pace is languid—sometimes lazy—and he occasionally slips into a baby-voiced mumble that’s too cute for its own good. But he never lingers in any of his fugue-like moments for too long.
Creating a musical space that allows the mind and the ears to roam around connecting the dots between these jump cuts is a true asset to his style of on-the-fly arrangements and production. And he isn’t alone. I Think I’m Good is rife with heavyhitter cameos: Joel Ross lays down sublime vibes on “Please Don’t Kill Me”. J. Hoard and Melanie Charles add rich vocal textures to “I Know You See Me”. And Julius Rodriguez adds heartswelling piano lines to “Find Me”.
In the closing number, amid fits of staccato percussion and thick atmosphere, Vijay Iyer’s Rhodes brings a full-bodied psychedelic flourish to “Was She Happy (for Geri Allen)”.
While support from so many bright young contemporaries providing top-notch contributions throughout, it is unquestionably Overall whose active interaction brings the album to a fine point.
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ROB BREZSNY
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In 1637, renowned English poet John Milton wrote “Lycidas,” a poetic elegy in honor of a friend. Reading it today, almost four centuries later, we are struck by how archaic and obscure the language is, with phrases like “O ye laurels” and “Ah! who hath reft my dearest pledge?” A famous 20th-century Piscean poet named Robert Lowell was well-educated enough to understand Milton’s meaning, but also decided to “translate” all of “Lycidas” into plainspoken modern English. I’d love to see you engage in comparable activities during the coming weeks, Pisces: updating the past; reshaping and reinterpreting your old stories; revising the ways you talk about and think about key memories.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Progress rarely unfolds in a glorious, ever-rising upward arc. The more usual pattern is gradual and uneven. Each modest ascent is followed by a phase of retrenchment and integration. In the best-case scenario, the most recent ascent reaches a higher level than the previous ascent. By my estimate, you’re in one of those periods of retrenchment and integration right now, Aries. It’s understandable if you feel a bit unenthusiastic about it. But I’m here to tell you that it’s crucial to your next ascent. Let it work its subtle magic.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You are most likely to be in sweet alignment with cosmic rhythms if you regard the next three weeks as a time of graduation. I encourage you to take inventory of the lessons you’ve been studying since your birthday in 2019. How have you done in your efforts to foster interesting, synergistic intimacy? Are you more passionately devoted to what you love? Have you responded brightly as life has pushed you to upgrade the vigor and rigor of your commitments? Just for fun, give yourself a grade for those “classes,” as well as any others that have been important. Then—again, just for fun—draw up a homemade diploma for yourself to commemorate and honor your work.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Are you ready to seize a more proactive role in shaping what happens in the environments you share with cohorts? Do you have any interest in exerting leadership to enhance the well-being of the groups that are important to you? Now is an excellent time to take brave actions that will raise the spirits and boost the fortunes of allies whose fates are intermingled with yours. I hope you’ll be a role model for the art of pleasing oneself while being of service others.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian author Lionel Trilling (1905–1975) was an influential intellectual and literary critic. One of his heroes was another influential intellectual and literary critic, Edmund Wilson. On one occasion, Trilling was using a urinal in a men’s room at the New School for Social Research in New York. Imagine how excited he was when Wilson, whom he had never met, arrived to use the urinal right next to his. Now imagine his further buoyancy when Wilson not only spoke to Trilling but also expressed familiarity with his work. I foresee similar luck or serendipity coming your way soon: seemingly unlikely encounters with interesting resources and happy accidents that inspire your self-confidence.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Poet Conee Berdera delivered a poignant message to her most valuable possession: the flesh and blood vehicle that serves as sanctuary for all her yearnings, powers, and actions. “My beloved body,” she writes, “I am so sorry I did not love you enough.” Near the poem’s end she vows “to love and cherish” her body. I wish she would have been even more forceful, saying something like, “From now on, dear body, I promise to always know exactly what you need and give it to you with all my ingenuity and panache.” Would you consider making such a vow to your own most valuable possession, Leo? It’s a favorable time to do so.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Luckily, the turning point you have arrived at doesn’t present you with 20 different possible futures. You don’t have to choose from among a welter of paths headed in disparate directions. There are only a few viable options to study
Homework: Don’t tolerate bullying from critical voices in your head or from supposedly “nice” people who are trying to guilt-trip you. FreeWillAstrology.com
The List
and think about. Still, I’d like to see you further narrow down the alternatives. I hope you’ll use the process of elimination as you get even clearer about what you don’t want. Let your fine mind gather a wealth of detailed information and objective evidence, then hand over the final decision to your intuition.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Certain artists are beyond my full comprehension. Maybe I’m not smart enough to understand their creations or I’m not deep enough to fathom why their work is considered important. For example, I don’t enjoy or admire the operas of Wagner or the art of Mark Rothko. Same with the music of Drake or the novels of Raymond Carter or the art of Andy Warhol. The problem is with me, not them. I don’t try to claim they’re overrated or mediocre. Now I urge you to do what I just did, Libra, only on a broader scale. Acknowledge that some of the people and ideas and art and situations you can’t appreciate are not necessarily faulty or wrong or inadequate. Their value may simply be impossible for you to recognize. It’s a perfect time for you to undertake this humble work. I suspect it will be liberating.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpioborn Ralph Bakshi has made animated films and TV shows for over 60 years. His work has been influential. “I’m the biggest ripped-off cartoonist in the history of the world,” he says. Milder versions of his experience are not uncommon for many Scorpios. People are prone to copying you and borrowing from you and even stealing from you. They don’t always consciously know they’re doing it, and they may not offer you proper appreciation. I’m guessing that something like this phenomenon may be happening for you right now. My advice? First, be pleased about how much clout you’re wielding. Second, if anyone is borrowing from you without making the proper acknowledgment, speak up about it.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Vainly I sought nourishment in shadows and errors,” wrote author Jorge Luis Borges. We have all been guilty of miscalculations like those. Each of us has sometimes put our faith in people and ideas that weren’t worthy of us. None of us is so wise that we always choose influences that provide the healthiest fuel. That’s the bad news, Sagittarius. The good news is that you now have excellent instincts about where to find the best long-term nourishment.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Poet Adrienne Rich wrote, “When a woman tells the truth she is creating the possibility for more truth around her.” I believe this same assertion is true about people of all genders. I also suspect that right now you are in a particularly pivotal position to be a candid revealer: to enhance and refine everyone’s truth-telling by being a paragon of honesty yourself. To achieve the best results, I encourage you to think creatively about what exactly it means for you to tell the deep and entire truth.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Through some odd Aquarian-like quirk, astrologers have come to harbor the apparently paradoxical view that your sign is ruled by both Saturn and Uranus. At first glance, that’s crazy! Saturn is the planet of discipline, responsibility, conservatism, diligence, and order. Uranus is the planet of awakening, surprise, rebellion, barrier-breaking, and liberation. How can you Aquarians incorporate the energies of both? Well, that would require a lengthy explanation beyond the scope of this horoscope. But I will tell you this: During the rest of the year 2020, you will have more potential to successfully coordinate your inner Saturn and your inner Uranus than you have had in years. Homework: Meditate on how you will do just that.
The Madness That Is March
The month of March isn’t just about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, the start of spring, or a rather popular college basketball tournament.
• Under the old Julian calendar, March was the first month of the year. • March was named for the Latin Martius—aka Mars, the Roman God of war. • Interestingly enough, almost all major US-NATO led military operations since the invasion of Vietnam have begun in the month of March. • Because of the NCAA basketball tournament, office productivity is at its lowest this month. • According to doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, the number of vasectomies surges by 50 percent during the first week of March Madness. • Aside from St. Patrick’s Day, the other fun holiday is this Friday, March 6th: The Day of The Dude, which encourages participants to honor The Big Lebowski by “takin’er easy all day, man.”
Rocketman’s Idea Abruptly Stunted
An attempt at space travel ends in death
Not Your Regular Godfathers
20 • THE PULSE • MARCH 5, 2020 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM In my article, I had said something to the effect of “the world will continue spinning” and the gentleman, in a very friendly way, explained that the Earth will not continue spinning because, in fact, it never has.
He told me NASA was fake, movies make people perceive a false reality, and that NASA were masters of movie making. The letter ended with a P.S., where he told me he genuinely enjoyed the Coen Brothers film O Brother Where Art Thou?, and in this, I wholeheartedly agree with him. As for the rest, I suppose you could say I’m in the pocket of “big globe”.
The rejection of science is a A S FAR AS I KNOW, I’VE GOTTEN EXACTLY ONE piece of snail mail at The Pulse in the ten years I’ve been writing for the paper. After my review of the Coen Brothers film Hail, Caesar!, I had a man from Rossville write me about how the Earth is flat. By John DeVore Pulse Film Editor Tokyo Godfathers, the acclaimed holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue), returns to theaters in a brand new restoration.
In modern day Tokyo, three homeless people’s lives are changed forever when they discover a baby girl at a garbage dump on Christmas Eve.
As the New Year fast approaches, these three forgotten members of society band together to solve the mystery of the abandoned child and the fate of her parents.
Along the way, encounters with seemingly unrelated events and people force them to confront their own haunted pasts, as they learn to face their future, together.
Co-written by Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, Tokyo Godfathers is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Tokyo Godfathers received an Excellence Prize at the 2003 Japan Media Arts Festival as well as winning Best Animation Film at the 58th Mainichi Film Awards.
Come see it this Monday at 7 p.m. with English subtitles, or next Wednesday at 7 p.m. dubbed in English at the AMC Chattanooga 18 theaters on South Terrace. — Michael Thomas major issue across the world right now. Just a few days ago, the man currently occupying the presidency called COVID-19 a Democratic hoax, despite hosting two press conferences about the dangers of the virus.
Where does this come from? The documentary Rocketman: Mad Mike’s Mission to Prove the Earth Flat doesn’t provide answers, but it does give a face to some of the stranger ideas in the world.
Daredevil Mike Hughes was known for setting the world record in limo jumping in 2002. At some point in the following years, Mike became interested in rocket
science. This term can be used loosely, of course. In the film, Mike states he doesn’t believe in math, or gravity, or making ontime payments for his impounded limousine. What Mike believes in, however, is himself and his cats. Hughes lived alone on a rental property in Apple Valley, California. He built his rocket from scrap metal he collected and a rudimentary knowledge of metalworking. He also managed to enlist a collection of like-minded individuals, each with an interest in rocket science and varying levels of expertise.
His landlord, Waldo Stakes, is likely the most knowledgeable on the subject. He didn’t consider Mike a friend—but his interest in rocketry and his desire not to watch Mike blow himself up led him to assist in the creation of the rockets.
Mike’s ultimate goal was to reach the stars, so he could take a picture of the Earth and prove it was flat. He had a GoFundMe started to help him raise the $2 million it would cost to reach that goal. At the time of the filming, he had raised $65.
What really sticks out about
the film is how many people it takes to enable someone like Mike Hughes. He had a team of a dozen or so enthusiasts, each with their own interesting personalities.
His friend Pat, for instance, believes that aborted fetuses are used as artificial sweeteners in food. A fellow Flat Earther, Pat quotes the Bible a lot and explains that the usage of the world “firmament” in Hebrews is proof of his theory.
This isn’t to say what this group accomplishes isn’t impressive. A steam powered rocket isn’t anything to laugh at—it’s a dangerous creation that requires a lot of skill and work to create.
Despite Mike’s insistence that he doesn’t believe in science or math, he follows the scientific method to create his rocket.
Ideology and reality don’t always mix and most people will choose the side of reality when their lives are on the line.
But a lot of Mike’s success was rooted in luck. His luck ran out about a week ago. During another launch near Barstow, Mike’s parachute deployed too early, was shredded, and his rocket crashed to the ground, killing him. The amusing nature of the documentary is completely undone by this inevitability.
The truth is ignorance is dangerous. The men in the documentary have no business shooting manned rockets into the sky. Experts exist for a reason. We need them running NASA. The CDC. State and local governments. Without them, people can be hurt or killed.
As tempting as it is to laugh at the silliness of naiveté, the consequences are far less entertaining.
✴ NEW IN THEATERS ✴
Onward Set in a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on a quest to discover if there is still magic out there. Director: Dan Scanlon Stars: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia LouisDreyfus, John Ratzenberger
The Way Back A former HS basketball phenom, struggling with alcoholism, is offered a coaching job at his alma mater. As the team starts to win, he may have a reason to confront his old demons. But will it be enough to set him on the road to redemption? Director: Gavin O'Connor Stars: Ben Affleck, Janina Gavankar
Aliens, Spirits, And Butt Kicking
Three anticipated games that will draw you back into their worlds
22 • THE PULSE • MARCH 5, 2020 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM I ’VE SAID IT ONCE BEFORE THAT 2020 would be a big year for videogames. As we round the seasonal corner of shedding off the chaos that is Chattanooga Winters and suit up for the chaos that is Chattanooga Spring, we look forward to a few epic releases dropping on our hands for this month. I’ve had these Monster March releases smoldering on my calendar for quite some time and it looks like they are prime to set all my dollars ablaze. These are three of my “must-get” videogames for March. And be mindful, they’re coming in hot! HALF-LIFE:ALYX
Valve Software has a way of playing with gamer’s emotions. Their games have a cultural relevance that seems to transcend time and space. Not to say that everything they produce is gamer gold but it sure comes close most of the time. Their latest foray into the mysterious Half-Life universe will be a prequel to Half-Life 2 which was released sixteen years ago. Half-Life redefined the FPS genre in almost every way.
Physics based puzzle mechanics, unique storytelling, and a unique fictional setting. It brought a lot to the table in terms of gaming longevity. Even spawning instant classics like Portal and Portal 2 which, yet again, redefined how videogames could push the boundaries of storytelling and playability.
Although the main story has been in stasis, Valve is looking to bring us back into the Half-Life world and right into the eyes of titular character Alyx Vance. In Half-life 2, she is the leader of the resistance against the occupying aliens known as The Combine. This will be a VR only port that brings players into a story before the events of Half-life 2. It’s dubious if this app will be Valve’s new chapter of defining what VR-based games can do for the industry but given Brandon Watsson Pulse columnist When not vaporizing zombies or leading space marines as a mousepad Mattis, Brandon Watson is making gourmet pancakes and promoting local artists. I’ve had these Monster March releases smoldering on my calendar for quite some time and it looks like they are prime to set all my dollars ablaze. These are three of my ‘must-get’ videogames.” “
their track record, it’s possible. For gamers who bought into VR early this may be the next stage in your gaming investment for those on the fence this may be the one to lure you in.
From what I’ve seen it looks to be all the best things from Half-Life universe in a fully interactive game.
It’s definitely a glorious reason to take the fight back to the alien oppressors with a more hands-on approach. ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS A cult favorite is finally gracing us with a much-anticipated sequel soon to awaken March 11th. Ori is the ultracute forest spirit that relied on players’ quick reflexes and introspective wonder to guide it through horrific dangers and platforming puzzles.
Moon Studios created a wonderful metroidvania that oozes with whimsical art and subtle lore that pulsates with immense heart and soul. Will of the Wisps will expand on the unique world of Ori and bring in a whole new cast of characters to love and protect.
This sequel will have more locations to visit and more expansive wonders to visually and audibly feast upon. If there is any one game that promises to deliver challenging gameplay with a potent ethereal beauty, it’s definitely Ori. This time the adventure appears to be bigger and bolder, so look for this glowing wonder on Xbox Marketplace and PC. DOOM ETERNAL
Arguably the triple-A behemoth sure to melt memory cards and console controllers is the sequel to the 2016 version
of metal rocking, demon stomping, gib fest extraordinaire. The Doom franchise has seen some crazy reboots and updates since its birth twenty-seven years ago. Some were hitor-miss but Doom has maintained relevant throughout its near three-decade existence.
The killer app of first-person shooters has been brought to life with Bethesda and was greeted with open arms by the Doom fanbase. The fast-paced demon shooter plays up what it’s good at: total demonic annihilation with extreme hate and prejudice. Doom: Eternal will bring in skill-based platforming and add greater momentum options for more epic gun battles.
Better yet, the entire franchise has a discounted bundle called Doom Slayer Edition for sale across multiple gaming platforms including Nintendo Switch.
It’s just in time to get us pumped and primed for a new chapter of intense violent mayhem. It’s one of the most metal videogame franchises that brought FPS games front-and-center to the gaming world.
Who knows if it will redefine the shooter genre, probably not, but with the forces of evil begging for the curb stomp of righteous rage who could really care? So, dust off that BFG and get ready to slay demon ass March 20th.
with Gary, Beth & Eric
