The Pulse 12.30 » July 23, 2015

july 23, 2015

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

the sixth annual

short short story contest

some of the city's best take the 500 word writing challenge music

soilcore

J.J. Miccolo III

arts

normal? bipolar rock

screen

ant-man size matters

food

hummus

warm & cozy

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2 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

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Contents

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor Gary Poole Contributing Editor Janis Hashe

July 23, 2015 Volume 12, Issue 30

Music Editor Marc T. Michael Film Editor John DeVore Contributors Rob Brezsny • Hayley Graham Matt Jones • Mike McJunkin Zach Nicholson • Ernie Paik Rick Pimental-Habib • Alex Teach Editorial Interns Ashley Coker • Shaun Webster Cartoonists Max Cannon • Rob Rogers Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow

Features

Cover Design Kelly Lockhart

4 BEGINNINGS: Processing the 7-16 tragedy by creating.

Founded 2003 by Zachary Cooper & Michael Kull

ADVERTISING

8

Director of Sales Mike Baskin

CONTACT

Offices 1305 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Website chattanoogapulse.com Email info@chattanoogapulse.com BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher & President Jim Brewer II

The Short (Short) Story Contest

Every year, we like to challenge Chattanooga writers to come up with their best story in 500 words or less. This year, we had a record number of entries, and a daunting task at hand for our judges to determine the best of the best.

Account Executives Chee Chee Brown • Randy Johnston Angela Lanham • Rick Leavell Kyle Richard • Stacey Tyler

10

Comfort in Not Being Alone

As a mother sings a rock anthem of a hauntingly real battle in her mind, audience members hear an echo of conversations they’ve held. As she deals with demons that refuse to leave her, and struggles with the effect of those demons on both herself and her family, they experience an empathy rich and complex.

THE FINE PRINT: The Pulse is published weekly by Brewer Media and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on music, the arts, entertainment, culture and local news. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publisher may take more than one copy per weekly issue.

The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors.

Contents Copyright © 2015 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.

14

Impossible to Musically Pin Down

One would be hard-pressed to find a recording and performing artist in the Chattanooga creative underground with as many musical personas and solo projects as Joseph J. Micolo III (soundcloud.com/jjemmeiii), driven by a willingness to explore and frequently cross the boundaries of genres.

6 SUSHI & BISCUITS: Real hummus should be warm and cozy.

12 ARTS CALENDAR 16 MUSIC CALENDAR 18 REVIEWS: Lon Eldridge’s oldfashioned enchantment, Mother Nurture’s catchy rock.

19 DIVERSIONS 20 SCREEN: “Ant-Man” swarms summer screens with a certain charm.

22 FREE WILL ASTROLOGY 22 JONESIN’ CROSSWORD 23 on the beat: Officer Alex was there on July 17.

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news • views • rants • raves

BEGINNINGS

updates » CHATTANOOGApulse.com facebook/chattanoogapulse EMAIL LOVE LETTERS, ADVICE & TRASH TALK TO INFO@CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Op-Ed: Art in the Face of Fear Processing tragedy by creating

“

The arts are famous for their power to heal. But they also have the power to defy, to spit in terror’s eye.”

An elaborate arts event was planned for the night of Thursday, July 16.

Then, shockingly, word came of the shootings at the Armed Forces Career Center and the Naval Reserve Center. Information trickled in, about the events, the shooter, the victims.

What to do? Should the event be canceled? Would it be disrespectful to continue it?

After much reflection, this event went on. Muted, without a doubt, by the news on people’s minds. But here is why it was the right decision.

The arts are famous for their power to heal. But they also have the power to defy, to spit in terror’s eye. They can say, “We are free. And you will not take that away

from us.”

Some time ago, the New York Daily News reported, “After the World Trade Center tragedy, Broadway reeled. Then it rallied.

“Two days after the towers fell, then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani gave a press conference about rescue efforts at Ground Zero.

“Out of the blue, he declared: ‘The best thing you can do for our city is take in a Broadway show.’

“Ears pricked janis hashe up. In a short but clear statement, the notion that ‘The show must go on’ went beyond showbiz to represent the Big Apple.”

Shira Schoenberg, writing on the website masslive.com about the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, quoted Dr. Terence Keane, director of the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder’s behavioral science unit: “On a communal level, art can capture a community’s reaction to trauma in a way that helps people process it.

“For individuals, art can help people honestly express and deal with their emotional responses, while helping them bind with their communities and look to the future in ways that can be quite healing.”

An event such as a seemingly normal young man deciding to murder people out of some deranged idea that it’s his deity’s will confounds people. The common impulse is to want to do something. Some came together in a community prayer service. Some rode

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4 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

motorcycles and flew flags.

And some, artists, sang and painted and entertained. Not in any way to make light of the loss of brave men and the tragedy imposed on their families, the city and the nation; indeed, just the opposite.

This is our way of honoring the sacrifices they made so that we continue to have the power to create, and by our creations, show that those who seek to intimidate all of us will not win. We will not cower in our homes. We will not stop making beauty and laughter. We are an essential part of the human spirit, we are life, not death, and you will not win.”

Note: The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Inc. has established the 7-16 Freedom Fund to cover college scholarships and educational expenses for spouses and children of the affected families.

Contributions to the 7-16 Freedom Fund can be made to 1270 Market St., Chattanooga, TN 37402. Please write “7-16 Freedom Fund” on the memo line of the check. An online donation page will be available by Friday, July 24.

EdiToon

by Rob Rogers

They Need Pencils, You Need Beer Like any growing city, Chattanooga still has a few bumps and bruises that require attention. Fortunately, The Noog can lean on the good work provided by United Way, an organization that has been helping build a stronger and healthier community for nearly a century.

United Way will once again rally the community to donate to the sixth annual STUFF THE BUS school drive.

All money and supplies raised by local businesses will go directly to Hamilton County public schools and students.

This year’s lofty goal is to collect $100,000 worth of supplies.

To help make this dream become a reality, Chattanooga Brewing Company is taking action. On Friday, July 24, the local brewery is inviting everyone to stop by and drop off either school

IN THIS ISSUE

Hayley Graham Regular arts and culture writer Hayley Graham is a selfdescribed Jill-of-all-trades who has almost lost track of everything she is involved writh. She originally hails from Nashville but has made Chattanooga her home. When not singing with her bands “Amber Fults

supplies or cash donations between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. They will also donate $1 for every appetizer sold, which adds a tastier incentive to help the worthy cause. It’s a real win-win for you, the city, and the school kids you’ll be helping.

Stuff the Bus Friday, 11 a.m.

Chattanooga Brewing Company 1804 Chestnut St. (423) 752-0316 chattabrew.com — Shaun Webster

Thu, July 23 • 7:15 PM

vs. Tennessee Smokies Back to School Night

Tue, July 28 • 7:15 PM

vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos Twitter Tuesday

Wed, July 29 • 7:15 PM

vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos Dogs on the Diamond

Thu, July 30 • 7:15 PM

vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos UTC Night

Zach Nicholson and the Ambivalent Lovers” and “The Goodbye Girls,” or teaching yoga at Hot Yoga Plus and BeYoga Ooltewah, she can be found supporting local music, theatre, art and all of the wonderful events and opportunities Chattanooga has to offer. She likes to further muse and ramble on the city she has so come to love, and all the many wonderful aspects of the arts and music scene on her website at hayleygraham.com

Former intern Zach Nicholson has become a regular music contributor, focusing on reviewing releases from local bands. Zach says he loves two things above all else: words and music. Never able to make the choice between the two, he’s a writer by day

and musician by night. Luckily for him, the two intertwine enough for his life to have some sort of balance. Live music and summer storms, fresh albums and windows down, those are his favorite days. He digs foreign languages and foreign music.

Find him lying in the sunshine or in the dark corners of a local bar. He loves that one-on-one conversational feel and figuring out what makes a person happy. chattanoogapulse.com • July 23-29 • The Pulse • 5

Are you ready to go back to school?

Hummus Makes Us Hum With Happiness Chef Mike explains that real hummus should be warm and cozy tion of Familiar Food’).

Hummus is one of the However, this early dish had world’s oldest known preno lemon or garlic as we find pared foods—yet it is a mysin modern versions that began tery to an astounding number to appear in 18th-century cookof Americans. Those who books in Damascus. Now, in have encountered this smooth modern-day Israeli and Arab and savory culinary multirestaurants throughout that tasker, probably did so while region, humslipping past mus is eaten the “healthy” as a single section of the dish within a office party larger meal, as snack table, a stand-alone or while trying main course to find someMIKE McJUNKIN accompanied thing to drag a by a fresh vegetable salad and sad piece of carrot or broccoli bread or as a spread for sandthrough other than the runny wiches and wraps. But don’t ranch dressing lurking amidst expect to find Western mutant the crudité. That is a tragedy spawn flavor combinations that doesn’t have to continue. like beets and chocolate or Hummus is so much more avocado lavender on Arab or than the cold “dip” you abIsraeli tables. They like their sentmindedly pick at with trihummus traditional, just like angles of pita bread while you god intended. wait for the real food to arrive.

Hummus is also traditionGood hummus is creamy, ally eaten warm, not cold. Alslightly nutty and almost though mass production pracmeaty in flavor, which makes tices have made refrigerated sense since its main ingredipackages of processed huments, chickpeas and tahini, mus more and more popular, have more protein than Richie the processed, chilled verIncognito’s bro shake. Humsions are an inferior substitute mus simply means “chickpea” for fresh, homemade humin Arabic. What we Westernmus. Processed, cold humers call “hummus” is actually mus tastes like a big scoop of hummus bi tahini, referring to Sartre’s nothingness. Refrigpureed chickpeas mixed with eration mutes the deep flavors tahini (tahini is sesame-seed of the chickpea. At least let it paste; think peanut butter come to room temperature bewith no sugar). fore you dig in, but if you want Historically, hummus bi those flavors to really develop, tahini is part of Levantine heat it up. Warm hummus is cuisine that first appeared in reassuring and comforting, a 13th-century medieval cooklike a sleeping bag full of kitbook called Kitab Wasf al-Atitens or Mrs. Garrett’s bosomy ma al-Mutada ( ‘The Descrip-

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6 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

embrace.

The secret to getting the best hummus is to make it yourself. It’s surprisingly easy—just focus on getting really good ingredients and treating them with the respect they deserve. Swing by a good ethnic market like International Food Market in Eastgate Town Center and pick up some small, dry chickpeas, an imported, high-quality tahini (like Alwadi brand), some fresh lemons, a decent olive oil and whip up a batch today.

Here’s a basic recipe to get you started.

Ingredients [makes 4 servings] • 1 cup dried chickpeas (the smallest you can find) • 1/2 cup tahini • juice from 1 squeezed lemon • 1-2 garlic cloves • 1/2 teaspoon cumin • 1 tablespoon + 1/8-1/4 teaspoon baking soda • salt • olive oil • parsley 1. Sort and wash the chickpeas repeatedly, until the water runs clear. Soak them in clean water overnight with 1 tablespoon of baking soda.

The next morning, rinse and soak again in tap water for a few more hours. The chickpeas should absorb most of the water and almost double in volume.

2. Wash the chickpeas one last time and put them in a large pot. Cover them with water and add the rest of the baking soda (no salt yet).

Cook over medium heat until you can easily smash the chickpeas between two fingers. This should take around 1-to-1.5 hours. About halfway through the cooking process, drain the water and refill, removing the peels and foam that float to the surface during cooking.

3. When the chickpeas are cooked, drain them, but keep the cooking water.

4. Put the chickpeas into a mortar and pestle and grind until smooth. If you are lazy or don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can cheat and use a food processor, just don’t let jeddah (Arab for grandmother) see you.

5. Add everything except the parsley and olive oil and continue to mix until smooth.

If the hummus is too thick, add some of the reserved cooking water until you get the texture you want.

Serve warm with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil and chopped parsley.

Longtime food writer and professional chef Mike McJunkin is a native Chattanoogan who has trained chefs, owned and operated restaurants, and singlehandedly increased Chattanooga’s meat consumption statistics for three consecutive years. Join him on Facebook at facebook.com/SushiAndBiscuits

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Pin Strikes Entertainment Center 6241 Perimeter Dr., Suite 109, Chattanooga (423) 710-3530 · www.pinstrikes1.com chattanoogapulse.com • July 23-29 • The Pulse • 7

The Annual Pulse Short ( Short) Story Contest Every year, we like to challenge Chattanooga writers to come up with their best story in 500 words or less. This year, we had a record number of entries, and a daunting task at hand for our judges to determine the best of the best. And without further ado, here are the top three for your enjoyment. And be sure to check out chattanoogapulse.com for the Honorable Mention stories.

The Girl With the Silken Sepals

by Robin Ford Wallace

An Old Man Learns to Stand Up For Himself

by Clifton Patty We met at a bar on a weekday and she laughed at me because I couldn’t get the bartender’s attention and my hair was Brylcreem’d and she was wearing heels so I felt like a little boy but that was okay because I’d been searching for someone to carry my juvenescence.

A few weeks later on our first date she told me that she watched too much Discovery channel as a kid so she refused to burp audibly and didn’t like eating in public so she made me cook a lot and we would fall asleep together but I’d always wake up alone.

We moved onto her father’s farmland in Georgia which was tucked between two sloped bluffs that pissed creeks down through the forest up north and one night we got drunk together and she pushed me down the stairs and it cut my forehead up pretty badly so I went to a creek in the woods and watched my blood pluck at the water and bloom into funny faces.

On our last date she gave me the flu but I didn’t take any medicine because I wasn’t ready to be alone again. I sat on the porch after that because it’s what people old people did in the movies and I liked listening to the bugs fighting and barking and flirting in the sugarcane. I decided I should leave the house so I walked to some little diner and ordered a burger.

They brought me chicken fingers but I ate them anyway.

8 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

The Flowerbed was not my regular habitat but that’s not to say there was anything wrong with it. It seemed a nice enough joint, well-drained, just a quiet little place where your working-slob photosynthesizer could kick back with a cup of something cool after 12 hours in the hot sun. You know. Vegetate.

There was a rose tending bar, heavily perfumed, maybe a little past full bloom but not going to seed just yet, thank you very much. Zinnias perched on toadstools looking fresh as daisies, big heads bent toward their drinks like that was all in the world they cared about. But guys would flash a stamen at them across the room and though they pretended not to see it was safe to bet there’d be some cross-pollination later on.

Not for me. I was here on business. I sat there in my brown-stripe trifoliate, spadix tucked discreetly into spathe, trying not to do anything that screamed UNDERCOVER. Then I looked up and saw: Her. She wilted, sobbing, over an iced mimosa. She was lovely, slender and long-stemmed, a rich purple-blue flecked delicately with gold. I moved from the bar to her table as naturally as a heliotrope turning toward the sun.

“Cheer up,” I said. “What are you, a weeping willow?”

“Don’t be ranunculus.” She gave me a drop-dead look.

“Anyone can see I’m an iris.”

“I know. You’re practically waving a blue flag.”

That made her laugh, a low sweet sound from deep in her pedicels. “All right, Jack, I like your styles.” She gave me a smile that made my stamens turgid. “Mind if I call you that? You can tuck your spadix tucked into your spathe all day long, I can spot a jack-in-the-pulpit from 100 yards. It’s that holy look. What are you, an undercover cop?”

The Annual Pulse Short ( Short) Story Contest I managed not to flinch. “OK. Call me Jack. What do I call you?”

“I’m Angie O’Sperm.”

“An Irish iris?”

“No,” she said bitterly. “I’m just an all-American garden variety.

Wanted to be a flower showgirl but I was a late bloomer and missed my chance. Instead I ended up in this lousy joint hustling hostas for the Nightshade Family.”

“The Nightshades own this place?” My anthers perked up, lobes cocked.

“Oh, yes. Their roots run deep here.”

I leaned forward. “Listen, Angie, I can help you get away from those stinkweeds.”

“Would you, Jack? Yes, I believe you would.” She smiled. “God, look at me. I’d better go fix my face.”

She disappeared into the back and I sat there grinning foolishly until a familiar voice said behind me: “Considering the lilies, Jack?”

It was my partner, “Sweet” William Bloom. “Not just any lily. Bill.

Wait till you see her. There she comes now!”

Bang! Bill shot. Angie dropped like a whacked weed.

“No!” I shouted.

“It was you or her.” He rolled her over so I could see: She had a pistil.

“The Nightshades were on to you,” he said. “Sorry, Jack...”

“She was a plant.”

Confessions of A White-Collar Scab

by Mary Petruska I was a white-collar scab for Lehman Brothers in the late nineties. I’m not proud of it but I needed to pay off an $18,000 debt from a failed fashion business. A friend slid me in, when she just couldn’t take it anymore.

I knew my soul was on the line but so was my life and home… and I went for it.

They hired me through a temp agency so they could fire me at any time, keep my hours below 30 to avoid paying any benefits and cut their cost per hour in half. It was the most money I had ever made in my life and all I had to do was make invitations for closing dinners and weekend junkets to rape second and third world countries.

Derivatives were BIG back then. I didn’t fully understand what they were but I knew they were messing with whole countries. I told myself It was only 30 hours a week, and that I owed friends and family a lot of money.

I got into it.

When they wanted to rape a South American country, I chose aggressive type. The woman who was my boss always wanted “flowery type” for invitations—but I KNEW the boys making the DEAL were more aggressive and they would like the type I chose. I’d do both—to please my boss—but the boys were the bottom line and I knew who they were. A good graphic designer understands her client.

From the get-go I thought of myself as a white-collar scab. It was way before people were talking about how corporations were bypassing laws to protect the worker. I was living it...and happy to be making a steady income to pay back my debt for a failed dream.

I worked 2.5 years and made my last debt payment the very week they “downsized” me to hire the kid I had trained. I was up to $45/hour. She had just graduated college and they could get her for $18/hour full time with benefits.

She and I are friends to this day. We went through 9/11 together. It was my day off. She came out of the subway to see people jumping out of windows. She called me hours later from her mother’s office in Midtown to ask me if I thought we were supposed to show up for work tomorrow.

We both worked from home after that and delivered work to hotel rooms and had no “trauma counseling” because… we were both white-collar scabs. The isolation was intense and we became each other’s support.

So… now, just about everyone is a white-collar scab. It’s no big thing anymore—just the way it is. Corporations owe nothing to their employees. You’re lucky to have a job.

Period.

And…I don’t at the moment—have a job. I’m available. I can read your soul and I can package it. Call me. chattanoogapulse.com • July 23-29 • The Pulse • 9

ARTS SCENE

Finding Comfort in Not Being Alone Rock musical “Next to Normal” confronts bipolar disorder

Shimmy and Shake for Dance Day Raq’s Top 40 brings bellydance dance experience to BLT From Irish step dance to classical ballet, Chattanooga houses a myriad of opportunities to get your toes pointed in whatever kind of dance gets your feet moving.

Chattanooga bellydance instructor Alexandria invites you to come out to Barking Legs Theater and join her in celebrating dance of the Middle Eastern variety on National Dance Day, July 25.

Alexandria will be hosting “Raqs Top 40,” a Middle Eastern dance show featuring dancers from all over the Southest moving to history’s most celebrated bellydance songs, complete with the over-thetop, colorful costumes bellydancers are known for.

The show will include dancers of

all skill levels, from students to professionals. The evening will also include educational elements and is family friendly.

This show is for anyone who wants to turn National Dance Day into a cultural lesson for the kids...or just be transported back to all those illfated theme parties from college.

Raq’s Top 40 starts at 8 p.m. with doors at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

— Ashley Coker Raq’s Top 40 Saturday, 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 987-1067 alexandria1.com

Thu7.23

fri7.24

sat7.25

sustainability

in a teacup

big bada boom

Summer Feast

“The Tempest”

Artillery Programs

Help support the Tennessee Aquarium and sustainable fishing with this fantastic feast featuring fresh flounder.

6 p.m.

212 Market Restaurant 212 Market St. (423) 267-3474 212market.com

The conflicts and intrigue of several castaways on a mystical island where superstition rules supreme.

7:30 p.m.

Camp Jordan 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy.

(423) 490-0078 backalleyproductions.org

Hear the roar and feel the blast of a reproduction Civil War artillery piece as living historians present the big booms.

10:30 a.m.

Chickamauga Battlefield 3370 Lafayette Rd. (423) 752-5213 nps.gov/chch

10 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

“I

have said these words before.”

As a mother sings a rock anthem of a hauntingly real battle in her mind, audience members hear an echo of conversations they’ve held. As she deals with demons that refuse to leave her, and struggles with the effect of those demons on both herself and her family, they experience an empathy rich and complex.

Arts hayley graham

“

The show, however, is not all grim reality and devastation; there are threads of humor, love and, ultimately, hope.”

They’re not here for sunshine and rainbows. They’re here for honesty and connection. They’re here because they see themselves, their loved ones, their neighbors onstage. They’re here to understand.

An estimated one in five American adults suffers from some diagnosable mental condition in any given year. Yet, for the astounding majority of people, there seems to be no shared experience, no common voice that tells their story; that sings their song.

Mental illness continues to be stigmatized in a way that leaves sufferers and their loved ones feeling alone and separate and often without hope.

In Closed Door Entertainment Inc.’s upcoming production “Next to Normal,” a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, the audience is given a look inside the mind of a woman battling intensifying bipolar disorder and how it not only affects her, but her family and the very foundation on which they build their lives.

The show opened on Broadway in April 2009 and was nominated for 11 2009 Tony Awards, winning three. It also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, becoming just the eighth musical in history to receive the honor.

“It’s adult. It’s hard-hitting, it’s a drama,” says JC Smith, Closed Door’s executive director.“It’s a powerful, powerful show and people need to be prepared for that. If they’re coming in expecting Mary Poppins, they’re going to be sorely mistaken.”

The show, however, is not all grim reality and devastation; there are threads of humor, love and, ultimately, hope. “It is a drama,” Smith reiterates, “but there are comedic moments.

There are beautiful moments. There are powerful moments, and there is not a rehearsal that goes by where one of our cast members doesn’t sit and sob in the corner for a few minutes.”

In other words, it’s a show about real life and all that comes with it.

The hope is that all audience members will recognize the issues being dealt with and perhaps even find healing in the shared experience.

“For people who do suffer, there’s such unity in hearing these lines… to realize that you’re not alone, that

other people feel the same way, other people fight the same demons every single day,” Smith says. “It’s emboldening to know that you’re not alone anymore.”

Closed Door Entertainment, in association with the Chattanooga AIM Center, which provides consumerdriven psychiatric rehabilitation services, wants this show to start a conversation about and bring greater awareness to mental illness.

“I think that when we bring about awareness we are all better off,” he explains, “and I think one way to do that is in a fantastically powerful rock musical.”

“Next to Normal” 7:30 p.m. July 31 & Aug. 1 2 p.m. Aug 1, 2 Memorial Auditorium’s Robert K. Walker Theatre 399 McCallie Ave. For tickets and more info: chattanoogaonstage.com chattanoogapulse.com • July 23-29 • The Pulse • 11

ARTS CALENDAR

Honey Harvest

thursday7.23

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15TH Bring your tripod on this special evening tour!

Check-in at 7pm, Tour Begins at 7:30pm

Reservations required:

RubyFalls.com/foto 423.821.2544

SUMMER SPECIAL Tower ZIP Ride

Round Trip ZIP! $

29.95!

423.821.2544

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Thomas & Friends: “Explore the Rails” Exhibit 10 a.m.

Creative Discovery Museum 321 Chestnut St. (423) 756-2738 cdmfun.org Homeschool Science Club 1 p.m.

Creative Discovery Museum 321 Chestnut St. (423) 756-2738 cdmfun.org Ooltewah Farmers Market 3 p.m.

Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co. 5829 Main St. (423) 238-9775 ooltewahnursery.com Nature’s Nuts 5 p.m.

Tennessee Aquarium 1 Broad St. (423) 267-3474 tnaqua.org All American Summer: Dark Horse Ten 6 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Summer Feast 6 p.m.

212 Market Restaurant 212 Market St. (423) 267-3474 212market.com “Mystery of the Nightmare Office Party”

12 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com RFZIPFoto.375x9.8.indd 1

7/13/15 9:19 AM

7 p.m.

Vaudeville Café 200 Market St. (423) 266-6202 funnydinner.com Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Tennessee Smokies 7:15 p.m.

AT&T Field 201 Power Alley (423) 267-2208 lookouts.com Jeff Dye 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com “Night On The Towns” 8:30 p.m.

Carmike East Ridge 18 5080 S. Terrace (423) 855-9652 carmike.com

Pulse Pick: Jeff Dye Currently seen on "I Can Do That" on NBC, Jeff was also the star in Dierks Bently's hit music video, "Drunk on a Plane", and host of "Numbnuts" on MTV2.

Jeff Dye The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

friday7.24 Stuff the Bus 11 a.m.

Chattanooga Brewing Company 1804 Chestnut St. (423) 752-0316 chattabrew.com Helmets & Heels 5:30 p.m.

Finley Stadium 1826 Carter St. (423) 266-4041 gomocs.com Dance Alive Performance 6 p.m.

UTC Fine Arts Center Vine & Palmetto Sts. (423) 425-4371 ballettennessee.org “Mystery of Flight 138” 7 p.m.

Vaudeville Café 200 Market St. (423) 266-6202 funnydinner.com Bat Cave Canoe Trip 7 p.m.

Outdoor Chattanooga 200 River St. (423) 643-6888 outdoorchattanooga.com Movie in the Park at Dark 7:30 p.m.

Heritage Park 1428 Jenkins Rd. (423) 855-9474 bridgechristian.org “The Tempest” 7:30 p.m.

Camp Jordan 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy.

(423) 490-0078 backalleyproductions.org Jeff Dye 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

saturday7.25 Move For The Health of It! 8 a.m.

Tennessee Riverpark 4301 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 544-2843 active.com Chattanooga River Market 10 a.m.

Tennessee Aquarium 1 Broad St. (423) 267-3474 chattanoogarivermarket.com

ARTS CALENDAR

"Aida" at The Met Tommy Jett Book Signing 10 a.m.

Chief John Ross House 200 East Lake Ave. (423) 488-3322 chattanoogaentertainers.com Artillery Programs 10:30 a.m.

Chickamauga Battlefield 3370 Lafayette Rd. (423) 752-5213 nps.gov/chch Tai Chi 11 a.m.

Eastgate Public Library 5705 Marlin Rd. (423) 855-2689 chattlibrary.org Stuff The Bus 11 a.m.

Chattanooga Brewing Company 1804 Chestnut St. (423) 752-0316 chattabrew.com Honey Harvest Noon Creative Discovery Museum 321 Chestnut St. (423) 756-2738 cdmfun.org Zines and Screens Noon Downtown Public Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 757-5310 chattlibrary.org “The Tempest” 7:30 p.m.

Camp Jordan 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy.

(423) 490-0078 backalleyproductions.org Jeff Dye

7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com “Raqs Top 40”: Belly Dance Show 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 alexandria1.com

sunday7.26 Chattanooga Market: Top Tomato 11 a.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1826 Reggie White Blvd.

(423) 266-4041 chattanoogamarket.com Global Instagram Meet 6 p.m.

Renaissance Park 200 River St. instagram.com Jeff Dye 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

monday7.27 Philanthropy Camp 9 a.m.

Jewish Cultural Center 5461 N. Terrace (423) 493-0270 jewishchattanooga.com

“The Great Gatsby” Auditions 6 p.m.

Memorial Auditorium 399 McCallie Ave. (423) 757-5156 backalleyproductions.org One Step at a Time 6 p.m.

Shepherd Community Center 2124 Shepherd Rd. (423) 999-7958 Vintage Swing Dance 7 p.m.

Clear Spring Yoga 17 N. Market St. (931) 982-1678 clearspringyoga.com

tuesday7.28 Art Lesson: Mono Printmaking 1 p.m.

Creative Discovery Museum 321 Chestnut St. (423) 756-2738 cdmfun.org So Lit Book Club: “Thrown” 5:30 p.m.

Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. (423) 267-1218 southernlitalliance.org Chattanooga Lookouts vs.

Pensacola Blue Wahoos 7:15 p.m.

AT&T Field 201 Power Alley (423) 267-2208 lookouts.com

wednesday7.29 Middle East Dance 10:30 a.m.

Jewish Cultural Center 5461 N. Terrace (423) 493-0270 jewishchattanooga.com Main Street Farmers Market 4 p.m.

325 E. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com Wednesday Night Chess Club 6 p.m.

Downtown Public Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 757-5310 chattlibrary.org “Aida” at The Met 7 p.m.

Carmike Majestic 12 311 Broad St. (423) 826-2375 carmike.com Vincent Hale Benefit Recital 7 p.m.

First Baptist Church 401 Gateway Ave. (423) 505-6033 vincenthale.weebly.com Chattanooga Lookouts vs.

Pensacola Blue Wahoos 7:15 p.m.

AT&T Field 201 Power Alley (423) 267-2208 lookouts.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

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6/15/15 11:12 AM

MUSIC SCENE

Impossible to Musically Pin Down Joseph J. Miccolo III's music can’t— and won’t—be pigeonholed

For Anyone Who Likes Everything Delta Saints bring inclusive sound to The Camp House We all have those bands we love, but can’t figure out how to categorize. Their sounds pulls in elements from so many different genres that sticking them in just one feels like selling the band short.

If you’re looking to add more of the “uncategorizables” to your playlist, The Delta Saints is a good place to start.

Whether The Delta Saints are roots, rock or R&B depends on who you ask. That’s because the Nashville-based band blends the three fluidly, then mixes in some gospel and country for good measure.

The band complements their inclusive sound with seemingly offthe-cuff lyrics, the result of writing their songs spontaneously in the

studio. True to their noncommittal approach, no two Delta Saints songs sound the same, with a typical setlist running the gamut from garage rock to haunting folk. If you don’t know what you want, you’ll definitely want to give these guys a chance.

The Delta Saints will be playing at The Camp House on Friday, July 24 at 9 p.m. The show is just two weeks before the release of their newest album, “Bones,” on August 9.

— Ashley Coker The Delta Saints with Behold the Brave Friday, 9 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com

thu7.23

fri7.24

SAT7.25

out of Texas

double bill

river nights

Lera Lynn

Backup Planet, Soul Mechanic

ShantyTown

Singer-songwriter born in Texas, raised in Georgia, and now based in Nashville, is making waves with her mix of Texas Americana.

7 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com

Two great local bands, one great night of music. Want proof the local scene is hot and happening? Here you go.

9:30 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com

A fascinating mix of blues, rock, jazz, celtic and gospel all rolled together to create what they call "Soul and Roll".

Plus lots of horns.

7 p.m.

Riverfront Nights 180 Hamm Rd. riverfrontnights.com

14 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

O

ne would be hard-pressed to find a recording and performing artist in the Chattanooga creative underground with as many musical personas and solo projects as Joseph J. Micolo III (soundcloud.com/jjemmeiii), driven by a willingness to explore and frequently cross the boundaries of genres.

Music ernie paik

“

Things like electro, postpunk, synthpop all have an energy which is forged into my work, even if an identifying sound is not present.”

When existing genre labels are inadequate, Micolo will simply invent new ones. For example, his “soilcore” outlet, SEGAWORMS (formerly known as Segamented Worms), offers harsh synthetics, sample cut-up madness and noise, all “influenced by the insect universe” and “viruses, fungi, excretions, toxic waste or general decay,” and the moniker ROY G BIV is used for his music “made from colors.”

A New York transplant who relocated to the area five years ago, Micolo has a diverse musical background cultivated over 20 years, having studied jazz and funk under a professional teacher and earned a degree in audio technology. As a teenager, Micolo played bass in the metalcore band Skycamefalling and an early incarnation of Year Of Confession, which reunited in 2014 in Amityville, NY, and of which Micolo remains an active member.

On the other end of the spectrum, Micolo dives into ambient organ-centered improvisations (released as JJEMMEIII) and shimmery electronic music (as Guy LuPadre). On the heels of the release of GTRUK’s new album The Grey Veil (gtruk. bandcamp.com)—Micolo’s channel for downtempo instrumental hip-hop—he answered some questions for The Pulse via email.

The Pulse: Are there certain qualities that tie some (all?) of your projects together?

Joseph Micolo: I never really thought about that since all of my mate-

rial is so compartmentalized into names. I suppose that they are all interpretations of things which inspire me, spoken in my own musical language. There is a quality of darkness to almost everything, both subtle and blatant.

TP: Do you have a favorite solo performance?

JM: I had such a great time playing Leaky Sockets 2015. It was the first GTRUK performance ever in the long history of that project. I was proud of the atmosphere I created.

Though my favorite gig was one of the SEGAWORMS shows I had played this past February.

It was a speedcore gabber set. For so many years I had wanted to play that kind of material live. Hearing those ballsy distorted 909 kicks pumping out of two bass cabinets behind me really unleashed that high school acid angst. I lost myself a bit and broke two of my painter’s lamps over my head, causing the bulbs to explode. Hazardous, but probably the most fun solo set I’ve done so far.

TP: How did the new GTRUK album come together?

JM: GTRUK started off as GrumpTruck, which I consider my perspective and dialect of the hip-hop and rap styles. I am fascinated by sampling and how existing sounds can be repurposed. It’s kind of like sonic Legos. The Grey Veil album sort of put itself together like a message from be-

BE ONE WITH THE MUD BE BE ONE ONE WITH WITH THE THE MUD MUD BE ONE WITH THE MUD BE ONE WITH THE MUD BE ONE WITH THE MUD

yond. I found a tape I recorded a few months prior of beat sketches. This tape played at half speed because it was originally recorded on a Tascam 4-track. The sound of everything slowed really hit me; it all sounded very ghostly and dark. I thought about death a lot; not literal death per se, but how you can essentially cease to be in someone’s life. But you are still there, and your essence can speak to the world through various channels.

TP: What is an influence that might not be apparent?

JM: Good question. I’ve listened to so many different genres of music.

They all influence me in different ways. Most of the music that I was first exposed to was produced during the ’80s. Those sounds and production techniques are ingrained in my

mind subliminally. Things like electro, post-punk, synth-pop all have an energy which is forged into my work, even if an identifying sound is not present. Although in a sense of performance method, free jazz essentially prompted me to start improvising with noise and sound manipulation.

TP: What can we expect next from you?

JM: I’ve been meditating on the premise of pushing myself to do things in sound that have been unexplored as of yet, to try things that are new to me, outside of my comfort zone. This year has been one of profound personal experience and revelation. All of this will be channeled into a creative work which is currently undetermined. At this time it is just a piece of sand in the mouth of an oyster, yet to become a pearl.

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CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

chattanoogapulse.com • July 23-29 • The Pulse • 15

LIVE MUSIC JUL/AUG

GROOVE ORIENT

23 FRI 9p 24 SAT 9p 25 WED 7p 29 THU 9p 30 FRI 10p 31 SAT 9p 1 THU

with KALEIGH BAKER and SHABTI 9p

BACKUP PLANET with SOUL MECHANIC

ERICK BAKER with GRACIE and JOEY FREE SHOW

CHRIS JANSON

“I COULD BUY ME A BOAT”

CANEY VILLAGE SWEET, SWEET VOICES

ARPETRIO FINAL SHOW!

with NEW PLANET & SOL SERMON

YATTI WESTFIELD

AND FRIENDS

ART OF NOISE ACADEMY BENEFIT

8.4 UPTOWN BIG BAND 8.6 UPCHURCH REDNECK 8.7 DEPARTURE: A TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY

COMING SOON

VELCRO PYGMIES BACK TO ROCK YOUR WORLD!

CBDB with MARADEEN GOOD TIMES, GREAT MUSIC

SAT 10p

THU 9p

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MUSIC CALENDAR

CHATTANOOGA

Courtney Daly Band

thursday7.23 All American Summer Concert Series: Dark Horse Ten 6 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View huntermuseum.org James Crumble Trio 6 p.m.

St. John’s Meeting Place 1278 Market St. stjohnsrestaurant.com Live Bluegrass 6:30 p.m.

Whole Foods Market 301 Manufacturers Rd. wholefoodsmarket.com Jesse James & Tim Neal 7 p.m.

Mexi Wings VII 5773 Brainerd Rd. (423) 296-1073 Lera Lynn 7 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com The Groove Orient, Kaleigh Baker, Shabti 8 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com Open Mic with Hap Henninger 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Broke Down Hound, Horti, Emily Robinson

16 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd jjsbohemia.com

friday7.24 Summer Music Weekends 8:30 a.m.

Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats 5 p.m.

Chattanooga Choo Choo 1400 Market St. choochoo.com Eddie Pontiac 5:30 p.m.

El Meson 2204 Hamilton Place Blvd. elmesonrestaurant.com

Pulse Pick: Ryan Oyer Heavily influenced by the Britpop sound of bands such as The Beatles and Oasis, Ryan Oyer's sound continually evolves— becoming deeper both musically and lyrically.

Ryan Oyer Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Market 1 Broad St. chattanoogamarket.com

Binji Varsossa 6 p.m.

Cancun Mexican Restaurant & Lounge 1809 Broad St. (423) 266-1461 High Meadows Communion 7 p.m.

Miller Plaza 850 Market St. nightfallchattanooga.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Tim Lewis 7 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Band of Heathens 8 p.m.

Miller Plaza

850 Market St. nightfallchattanooga.com Husky Burnette 8 p.m.

Mayo’s Bar & Grille 3820 Brainerd Rd. (423) 624-0034 The Delta Saints with Behold the Brave 9 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E .MLK Blvd thecamphouse.com Eternal Summers, Saint PE, Mad Libre 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd jjsbohemia.com Courtney Daly Band 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Backup Planet, Soul Mechanic 9:30 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com

saturday7.25 Summer Music Weekends 8:30 a.m.

Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com The Lone Mountain Band 12:30 p.m.

Chattanooga River Market 1 Broad St. chattanoogarivermarket.com

Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats 5 p.m.

Chattanooga Choo Choo 1400 Market St. choochoo.com Eddie Pontiac 5:30 p.m.

El Meson 2204 Hamilton Place Blvd. elmesonrestaurant.com Binji Varsossa 6 p.m.

Cancun Mexican Restaurant & Lounge 1809 Broad St. (423) 266-1461 Gill Landry, Natalie Rogers 7 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com ShantyTown 7 p.m.

Riverfront Nights 180 Hamm Rd. riverfrontnights.com Tim Lewis 7 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Erik Baker 9 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com Hap Henninger

10 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com

sunday7.26 Summer Music Weekends 8:30 a.m.

Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Ryan Oyer 12:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Market 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com Rye Baby 2 p.m.

Chattanooga Market 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com Open Mic with Jeff Daniels 6 p.m.

Long Haul Saloon 2536 Cummings Hwy. (423) 822-9775 The Paramedic with The Bad Chapter 7 p.m.

Cloud Springs Deli 4097 Cloud Springs Rd., Ringgold cloudspringsdeli.com

monday7.27 Austin Olvey 6 p.m.

Cloud Springs Deli 4097 Cloud Springs Rd., Ringgold, GA

cloudspringsdeli.com Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Open Mic 7 p.m.

Magoo’s Restaurant 3658 Ringgold Rd. facebook.com/MagoosTN Dustin Kensrue 7:30 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com Very Open Mic 8 p.m.

The Well 1800 Rossville Ave. # 8 wellonthesouthside.com The Steam Boars 9 p.m.

Ziggy’s Underground 607 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 265-8711

tuesday7.28 Bill McCallie & In Cahoots 6:30 p.m.

Southern Belle Riverboat 201 Riverfront Pkwy. chattanoogariverboat.com Rick’s Blues Jam 7 p.m.

Folk School of Chattanooga 1200 Mountain Creek Rd. chattanoogafolk.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m.

MUSIC CALENDAR

Eternal Summers

Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Lazyeyes, The Teen Age 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd jjsbohemia.com

wednesday7.29 Eddie Pontiac 5:30 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonrestaurant.com The Other Guys 6 p.m.

SpringHill Suites 495 Riverfront Pkwy.

(423) 834-9300 Dan Sheffield 7:30 p.m.

Sugar’s Downtown 507 Broad St. sugarschattanooga.com Wednesday Night Jazz 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Blues Night with Yattie Westfield 8 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com

901 Carter St. Inside City Cafe (423) 634-9191

Thursday, July 23: 9pm Open Mic with Hap Henninger Friday, July 24: 9pm Courtney Daly Band Saturday, July 25: 10pm Hap Henninger Tuesday, July 28: 7pm Server/Hotel Appreciation Night $5 Pitchers $2 Wells $1.50 Domestics ●

●

Wednesday, July 29: 8pm Blues Night feat. Yattie Westfield Happy Hour: Mon-Fri: 4-7pm $1 10oz drafts, $3 32oz drafts, $2 Wells, $1.50 Domestics, Free Appetizers

citycafemenu.com/the-office

Since 1982

Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com chattanoogapulse.com • July 23-29 • The Pulse • 17

Record Reviews

zach nicholson

Kazoo on a Sunny Morning, Reverb in the Sweaty Night ENJOY LIVE MUSIC THURSDAYS, 6 P.M. JULY 2 - AUGUST 13

Lon Eldridge’s old-fashioned enchantment, Mother Nurture’s catchy rock

AT THE HUNTER MUSEUM www.huntermuseum.org

Thursday, July 2 | 6 p.m.

HOT DAMN

Sunday, July 5 | 1 p.m.

ALEX VOLZ

Thursday, July 9 | 6 p.m.

Lon Eldridge Long Gone (loneldridge.bandcamp.com/)

Thursday, July 16 | 6p.m.

S

BIRDS WITH FLEAS CADILLAC SAINTS

Thursday, July 23 | 6 p.m.

DARK HORSE TEN

Thursday, July 30 | 6 p.m.

SMOOTH DIALECTS Sunday, August 2 | 1 p.m.

DANIMAL PINSON

Thursday, August 6 | 6 p.m.

PACK OF WOLVES

Thursday, August 13 | 6 p.m.

REMEMBERING JANUARY Sponsored by:

and Brewer Media Group

urprisingly (or perhaps not surprisingly at all), Lon Eldridge’s June release Long Gone is everything I expected from the wonderfully dressed and mustachioed man. The whole album is ten tracks of good old-fashioned blues straight out of Tennessee. The majority of Long Gone showcases Eldridge’s voice and guitar picking, with some light shoe-tapping to tempo in the background.

It’s weirdly comfortable, as if you’re sitting next to Eldridge on a sunny afternoon, perhaps with a cuppa joe or tea if that’s your thing, listening to him play a couple of tunes he’s been dying to show you. The whole album is an intimate occasion, while thriving on its playfulness. And how could you, the listener, not smile as Eldridge whips out the kazoo

18 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

Mother Nurture The Great Commission (mothernurture.bandcamp.com)

like it’s just another Sunday afternoon in Chattanooga?

Long Gone really strips down music to its bare bones. It’s a man and his guitar, and he’s brought his attitude along with him for the ride. The duet between a man and guitar is really something to admire, to be downright mesmerized by, and Eldridge’s unique lighthearted approach is a nice breather from all the would-be breakup poets who picked up an acoustic guitar at some point along the way and figured their poems sounded better with accompaniment.

One track on the album— “Cozinhando Com Gas”—is a standout track for its guest musicians. Dalton Chapman and Skip Frontz Jr. of The 9th Street Stompers join Eldridge in the grooviest track on the album. Skip’s

bass fills out the bottom end you didn’t realize you missed, and Dalton’s guitar work is enchanting to say the least.

Lon Eldridge will undoubtedly be playing about town sometime soon, and I can only hope to see him playing around a local coffee house, because his music goes best with a bit of sunlight and coffee.

C

leveland, TN is constantly contributing great bands to the local Chattanooga scene. A lot of the time, it’s easy to breeze over a newer band from the outskirts, but when you find that one up-and-coming group, it’s pretty damn exciting. There are a few bands that come to mind when I think of the Cleveland area, but I’m here to talk about one in particular—Mother Nurture.

I saw them play at JJ’s Bohemia a long while back.

Solid show, tight performance, high energy. Now I’ve found out they released a 5-track album back in January. The Great Commission is a great, high-quality freshman release for Mother Nurture. They sure have come a long way since I saw them play at JJ’s.

The album is full-bodied with reverbed and delayed guitars and a constant backbeat from the drummer and bassist. The songs are focused on lyrics and structure so that I could easily imagine these songs enjoying a lot of radio play. At the same time, Mother Nurture is a rock band, and I’ll definitely kick up a sweat in the crowd during their live set.

The Great Commission is a fantastic interplay between laid back and moody, up front and aggressive. And what you end up with are five well-written songs with great production on them.

Listening to The Great Commission, I immediately think of 2004 Breaking Benjamin—the crunch, the catchiness—layered with progressive influences from bands like Tool and The Dear Hunter. The combination of structured catchiness and progressive undertone really keeps the whole album feeling fresh as morning.

Pick up The Great Commission for free on Mother Nurture’s Bandcamp. The band will be playing JJ’s Bohemia on Tuesday, July 28. I highly recommend checking the album out in preparation for singing along at the show.

Diversions

Consider This with Dr. Rick

by Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D. “Confusion is the welcome mat at the door of creativity.”

— Michael Gelb When people come to me for my help and are in a state of confusion, when they’ve reached a personal intersection and don’t know which way to turn, I sometimes suggest to them that perhaps they are not yet at the place of decision-making. Perhaps they are at the all-important place right before the decision. The place of confusion, frustration, impatience, despair...any number of difficult feelings.

It’s the storm before the breaking light of dawn, the time of troubled thoughts and mixed emotions just before the breakthrough of clarity. It’s actually a very important place to be, because you know that the next step will be one of courage and forward momentum. Can you trust that about yourself?

Consider this: Sit with your confusion. Sleep on it. Go for a walk. Meditate/pray/ponder the infinite possibilities that lie before you. Imagine being told that whatever you choose will be the correct path for you, and you can’t fail even if you try. chattanoogapulse.com • July 23-29 • The Pulse • 19

SCREEN SCENE

Marvel Adds a New Superhero to the Picnic

Look, Even More Superheroes Movie in the Park at Dark screens enjoyable "Big Hero 6" Sometimes, the best thing you can do to get your mind off the news of the day is pack a picnic lunch, grab the family, and head to the park for a movie under the stars.

Even better is when the movie is as delightful and entertaining as Disney’s “Big Hero 6.”

Based (loosely) on the Marvel comic series of the same name, this animated treat follows the exploits of young Hiro Hamada, a technical prodigy who is still learning how to cope with the loss of his revered older brother.

With the help of the inflatable

✴✴✴✴

Baymax, and a group of new friends from the local university, Hiro learns to live up to his name and save the day.

Add in the fanciful city of “San Fransokyo”—what would have happened if the Japanese had rebuilt San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake—and you have a winner.

Movie in the Park at Dark Friday, 7:30 p.m.

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NEW IN THEATERS

Pixels When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth in the form of the video games. No, really. Game over.

Director: Chris Columbus Stars: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage

✴✴✴✴

Paper Towns A young man and his friends embark upon the road trip of their lives to find the missing girl next door. Adapted from the bestselling novel by author John Green.

Director: Jake Schreier Stars: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Austin Abrams, Justice Smith

20 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

“Ant-Man” swarms summer screens with a certain wry charm and wit

S

ometimes it seems reviews repeat themselves. This is especially true of franchise films, as Hollywood is nothing if not repetitive. But then, certain things can’t be denied.

Certain personality flaws lend themselves to addictive behavior.

Screen john devore

“

Because it is backed up by the superhero aspects, ‘AntMan’ has enough action and fun to make up for its shortcomings.”

Superheroes are my weakness. While I can still separate good storytelling from bad storytelling, point out missed opportunities, and challenge the logic behind choices made by the filmmakers, I will invariable enjoy some part, however small, of any superhero movie I see. We all have our blind spots—it seems that films made

by Marvel Studios are mine.

The latest in Marvel’s box office domination blitz is the not-quite-so-wellknown hero Ant-Man. At first glance, Ant-Man sounds less like a superhero and more like a 1950s B-movie, or a straightto-video rip-off of “The Fly.” Ant-Man has never had the appeal of Iron Man or Captain America, and who knows why audiences are more accepting of Spider-man when it comes to spidey-related powers.

Ant-Man was just never an A-lister with The Avengers. But this is why he deserves his own film and ends Marvel’s Phase II of the Cinematic Universe. “Ant-Man” is the beginning of far more esoteric and offbeat superheroes, one that tests the waters of the weird.

The synopsis of Ant-Man and his powers, for the non-true-believers among us, is as follows: Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) developed Pym Particles in the 1960s, which allowed him to shrink himself and other objects to miniscule sizes. While he is tiny, Ant-Man retains the strength of his full-sized self, allowing for his diminu-

tive punches to pack the same wallop as a grown man. For years, Pym operates as an infiltrator for various agencies, SH.I.E.L.D. being one of them.

In addition to his shrinking abilities, Pym has developed a way to control a variety of ant species and use them for various purposes, like transportation, shorting out electrical equipment, biting guards, etc. Tony Stark’s father wants to use Pym’s technology to create an army of tiny super soldiers, but Pym objects and the technology is lost.

Cut to many years later, and Pym has been voted out of his company by his daughter and his protégé is on the cusp of recreating Pym’s work. Pym must find a way to stop his creation from falling into the wrong hands.

What sets Marvel films apart from other superhero franchises is the way that they occupy separate genres within the genre. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is a Cold War drama.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” is a space opera. “Ant-Man” is a heist film. However, it’s not a very good one. At no point is the audience tricked; the plan is too straightforward for an “Ocean’s 11”-style bait and switch. This is no “The Sting” and Paul Rudd is no Paul Newman.

However, because it is backed up by the superhero aspects, “Ant-Man” has enough action and fun to make up for those shortcomings. Rudd, who has taken the mantle of “Ant-Man” from an aging Pym, is his typical charming and affable self. Much of the fun is derived from the less-than-serious nature of the screenplay, penned in part by Edgar Wright, who left the project early due to

“creative differences.”

I’d like to see Wright’s version of the film, without notes from Marvel, because the more absurd the circumstances, the better. However, Marvel has an image to maintain, and while they allow a certain amount of levity, they still require something a serious tone.

There is not much to say about the villain in the film. Corey Stoll plays a scheming scientist (of which the Marvel Universe has no shortage) and does so as well as the screenplay allows. Stoll is much more capable than we see in his performance, but then many of the Marvel villains have been frustratingly one-sided.

(Vincent D’Onofrio as the Kingpin in the Netflix Original Series “Daredevil” has so far been the only truly complex character, although Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is a close second.)

Villains need a chance to show their humanity in order to appear monstrous, and often the Marvel films just don’t have the time to devote real development. Given that we are now 12 films in, this is unlikely to change.

And there we have it. “Ant-Man” is a perfectly fine addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with enough action and wit to entertain an audience for two hours. If you love Marvel movies, you’ll likely love this one. If you haven’t seen a Marvel movie before, you’ll probably enjoy it as well.

Theere are plenty of Marvel movies and shows on the way—we’ll meet here again for “Captain America: Civil War.” Until then, we should try to branch out some. I hear there’s a new Adam Sandler movie soon...

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chattanoogapulse.com • July 23-29 • The Pulse • 21

Jonesin’ Crossword

Free Will Astrology

matt jones

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A researcher at the University of Amsterdam developed software to read the emotions on faces. He used it to analyze the expression of the woman in Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, the “Mona Lisa.”

The results suggest that she is 83 percent happy, 9 percent disgusted, 6 percent fearful, and 2 percent angry. Whether or not this assessment is accurate, I appreciate its implication that we humans are rarely filled with a single pure emotion. We often feel a variety of states simultaneously. In this spirit, I have calculated your probably mix for the coming days: 16 percent relieved, 18 percent innocent, 12 percent confused, 22 percent liberated, 23 percent ambitious, and 9 percent impatient.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “What makes you heroic?” asked philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Here’s how he answered himself: “simultaneously going out to meet your highest suffering and your highest hope.” This is an excellent way to sum up the test that would inspire you most in the coming weeks, Virgo. Are you up for the challenge? If so, grapple with your deepest pain. Make a fierce effort to both heal it and be motivated by it. At the same time, identify your brightest hope and take a decisive step toward fulfilling it.

“The Annoyingest”—the title is the least of your worries.

ACROSS 1 Low points 7 Close pals 11 “Just a ___!”

14 Animal spotted in zoos 15 Actress Remini 16 ___ on the side of caution 17 “I’ll play some background music.

How about ‘___’, that #1 hit from 2012 ...”

19 First name in soccer 20 Obamacare acronym 21 “I doubt it” 22 Surname in cartoon scent trails 24 Summon, as a butler, “Downton Abbey”-style 27 Dish alternative 29 Vanessa of “Saturday Night Live” 30 “Better yet, let’s have that ___ ringtone character perform the theme song ...”

34 Black, white or (Earl) Grey, e.g.

36 He warned against the all-syrup Squishee 37 Ear or mouth ending 38 “While you’re solving, think of the

soothing sounds of a ___ in your ear ...”

44 Israeli weapon 45 College sr.’s exam 46 Eighth mo.

47 “I’ll provide the clues in a visually pleasing ___ font ...”

51 Bates and Thicke, for two 55 German sausages, informally 56 Partner of dental and vision 58 What Frank mistook his intervention for in “It’s Always Sunny” 60 Cherokee or Tahoe, e.g.

61 “___-la-la!” (Captain Underpants call) 62 Poetic planet 63 “If these clues get you nowhere, you can ___ to stimulate the mind!”

68 Crocodile feature 69 “Hey, Jorge!”

70 Basic shelter 71 Approval from a futbol fan 72 Restaurant reviewer’s website 73 Water under the

bridge, maybe DOWN 1 Like some strict diets 2 Tree that yields gum arabic 3 Dana of “Desperate Housewives” 4 Fluish 5 ___-com 6 Court note-taker 7 Uninteresting 8 180-degree turn 9 Small amount 10 Civil War historian Foote 11 Leatherneck’s motto, briefly 12 One of five lakes 13 “That really stuck in my ___” 18 “Double Dare” host Summers 23 ___ on the Shelf (Christmas figure) 25 “The Girl From Ipanema” saxophonist 26 Open, in Cologne 27 Pitch-raising guitar device 28 College town northeast of Los Angeles 31 College student’s

stereotypical meal 32 At lunch, perhaps 33 Day-___ paint 35 Feeling of apprehension 38 Florida footballer, for short 39 ___ Aduba (“OITNB” actress) 40 Victoria Falls forms part of its border 41 Fat, as in Fat Tuesday 42 Athlete’s leg muscle 43 Hybrid citrus from Jamaica 48 They eagerly await your return 49 Like songs that get stuck in your head 50 Blue stuff 52 Curtain-parting time 53 Airport serving Tokyo 54 Alpine race 57 Atrocities 58 Color of a corrida cape 59 Like folk traditions 60 Cash-free transaction 64 “Green Acres” theme song prop 65 Bent pipe shape 66 Human cannonball’s destination 67 So ___

Copyright © 2015 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 0737

22 • The Pulse • July 23-29, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Actress and musician Carrie Brownstein was born with five planets in Libra. Those who aren’t conversant with astrology’s mysteries may conclude that she is a connoisseur of elegance and harmony. Even professional stargazers who know how tricky it is to make generalizations might speculate that she is skilled at cultivating balance, attuned to the needs of others, excited by beauty, and adaptive to life’s ceaseless change. So what are we to make of the fact that Brownstein has said, “I really don’t know what to do when my life is not chaotic”? Here’s what I suspect: In her ongoing exertions to thrive on chaos, she is learning how to be a connoisseur of elegance and harmony as she masters the intricacies of being balanced, sensitive to others, thrilled by beauty, and adaptive to change. This is important for you to hear about right now.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’re entering a volatile phase of your cycle. In the coming weeks, you could become a beguiling monster who leaves a confusing mess in your wake. On the other hand, you could activate the full potential of your animal intelligence as you make everything you touch more interesting and soulful.

I am, of course, rooting for the latter outcome. Here’s a secret about how to ensure it: Be as ambitious to gain power over your own darkness as you are to gain power over what happens on your turf.

rob brezsny

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I’m a big fan of the attitude summed up by the command “Be here now!” The world would be more like a sanctuary and less like a battleground if people focused more on the present moment rather than on memories of the past and fantasies of the future. But in accordance with the astrological omens, you are hereby granted a temporary exemption from the “Be here how!” approach. You have a poetic license to dream and scheme profusely about what you want your life to be like in the future. Your word of power is tomorrow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A philanthropist offered $100,000 to the Girls Scouts chapter of Western Washington. But there were strings attached. The donor specified that the money couldn’t be used to support transgender girls. The Girl Scouts rejected the gift, declaring their intention to empower every girl “regardless of her gender identity, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.” Do you have that much spunk, Capricorn? Would you turn down aid that would infringe on your integrity? You may be tested soon. Here’s what I suspect: If you are faithful to your deepest values, even if that has a cost, you will ultimately attract an equal blessing that doesn’t require you to sell out. (P.S. The Girls Scouts subsequently launched an Indiegogo campaign that raised more than $300,000.)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Consider the possibility of opening your mind, at least briefly, to provocative influences you have closed yourself off from. You may need to refamiliarize yourself with potential resources you have been resisting or ignoring, even if they are problematic. I’m not saying you should blithely welcome them in. There still may be good reasons to keep your distance. But I think it would be wise and healthy for you to update your relationship with them.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Over 10,000 species of mushrooms grow in North America. About 125 of those, or 1.25 percent, are tasty and safe to eat. All the others are unappetizing or poisonous, or else their edibility is in question. By my reckoning, a similar statistical breakdown should apply to the influences that are floating your way. I advise you to focus intently on those very few that you know for a fact are pleasurable and vitalizing. Make yourself unavailable for the rest.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): The Latin motto “Carpe diem” shouldn’t be translated as “Seize the day!”, says author Nicholson Baker. It’s not a battle cry exhorting you to “freaking grab the day

in your fist like a burger at a fairground and take a big chomping bite out of it.” The proper translation, according to Baker, is “Pluck the day.” In other words, “you should gently pull on the day’s stem, as if it were a wildflower, holding it with all the practiced care of your thumb and the side of your finger, which knows how to not crush easily crushed things— so that the day’s stem undergoes increasing tension and draws to a tightness, and then snaps softly away at its weakest point, and the flower is released in your hand.”

Keep that in mind, Aries. I understand you are often tempted to seize rather than pluck, but these days plucking is the preferable approach.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When I talk about “The Greatest Story Never Told,” I’m not referring to the documentary film about singer Lana Del Rey or the debut album of the rap artist Saigon or any other cultural artifact.

I am, instead, referring to a part of your past that you have never owned and understood…a phase from the old days that you have partially suppressed…an intense set of memories you have not fully integrated. I say it’s time for you to deal with this shadow.

You’re finally ready to acknowledge it and treasure it as a crucial thread in the drama of your hero’s journey.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The ancient Greek philosopher Thales is credited as being one of the earliest mathematicians and scientists. He was a deep thinker whose thirst for knowledge was hard to quench. Funny story: Once he went out at night for a walk. Gazing intently up at the sky, he contemplated the mysteries of the stars. Oops! He didn’t watch where he was going, and fell down into a well. He was OK, but embarrassed. Let’s make him your anti-role model, Gemini. I would love to encourage you to unleash your lust to be informed, educated, and inspired—but only if you watch where you’re going.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Charles Darwin is best known for his book The Origin of Species, which contains his seminal ideas about evolutionary biology. But while he was still alive, his bestseller was The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms. The painstaking result of over 40 years’ worth of research, it is a tribute to the noble earthworm and that creature’s crucial role in the health of soil and plants. It provides a different angle on one of Darwin’s central concerns: how small, incremental transformations that take place over extended periods of time can have monumental effects. This also happens to be one of your key themes in the coming months.

A Walk in the Park “I can’t seem to face up to the facts I’m tense and nervous and I Can’t relax I can’t sleep ‘cause my bed’s on fire Don’t touch me I’m a real live wire..”

—“Psycho Killer”, Talking Heads

“ He was a ‘criminal’ doing what criminals do making ‘cops’ do what cops do.

He deserves no more credit than that because I’m not scared despite his efforts.

Just angry.”

Photo by Shelia Cannon

When officer Alexander D. Teach is not patrolling our fair city on the heels of the criminal element, he spends his spare time volunteering for the Boehm Birth Defects Center.

“Terrorism,” they call it.

Endangerment, Criminal HoDomestic, foreign, state, micide—oh, lots of names, bio… There is always a labut when it happens we just bel ready made in a chyron start out simply calling it “a generator to neatly fit below crime.” a local or global talking head That was certainly the when it comes to that magiscene this week. cal word.

Whatever That label happened is a box, a here, once nice opaque standing at sheet to the base of ALEX TEACH tightly wrap a road sign something in a container so completely obscured by that it can be discussed, disflags, streamers, and other sected, defended, decried, assorted 4th of July leftovers, and most importantly— it almost makes you forget marketed. And what markets about the sounds of gunfire better than “hate”? Nothing, and screams and shattered brother. glass that inspired this imHate divides. Hate enpromptu memoriam. flames. Hate moves. And It makes you forget about therefore hate sells. And the hint of cordite that just when you think the may have filtered through kitchen of the week can’t the air and the uncertainty get any hotter from all that? of all these things, and of You shift gears and figure course…the fear that was out a way to justify it to as palpable as any of these start the same show all over decorations or the signage again, but now in the oppoitself. site direction. Act I, Scene Such an underestimated 2, film at 11 and plenty of subject, “fear.” I once saw commercial slots for sale bea movie that offered the tween now and then. That’s supposition that “Fear is why news outlets love it, not real. It is a product of and that’s what industries thoughts you create. Do known as “activism” thrive not misunderstand me,” the on. line went. “Danger is very But to cops? We have real. But fear is a choice.” It plenty of sweet labels to was a fascinating concept, paste onto an event, make but it’s also a load of garno mistake: Especially Agbage when you’re running gravated Assault, Reckless towards the unknown that

On The Beat

is made of the above described sounds and smells all competing for dominance in 93 degree heat on a clear Thursday morning in a park where you’ve taken your children in the past, and you’re now removing your friends on stretchers and strangers in armored vehicles in the present, wondering when the high velocity rounds would come your way again and if this was the last human being you’d have to pull out of this hastily improvised but wellcrafted Hell. Or if you’d be the next one someone else was having to extract under the same conditions, once you realized that cold sensation running down your midriff or thigh wasn’t a spilled drink or a splash from a puddle, but rather your mind reacting to trauma by cutting off pain, but forgetting to eliminate temperature sensitivity along with it. Experiencing one or all of those things…but having to press on regardless.

“Fear is a choice?” My ass.

“Criminal homicide,” though…now that is a choice. The ultimate form of “Hate.”

Whatever $20 label you choose to be most effective

(or God forbid least offensive), that’s what it comes down to. And it is just as deliberate an act as it was for my brothers and sisters to plow head-on into that maelstrom on July 17 with nothing but the comfort of a pistol or a long gun in their hand, and the confidence in those around them that carried the day in a mix of emotions few truly know, but all recognize once they’ve been there, as they stack up with strangers and pour into the unknown, room by room, corner by corner, unknown by unknown with guns and resolve aimed forward.

“Terrorist,” they call him.

He was a “criminal” doing what criminals do making “cops” do what cops do.

He deserves no more credit than that because I’m not scared despite his efforts.

Just angry.

Save credit for the stories that will come from that hot, angry day after the FBI and NCIS pack up their equipment and the investigation is final and the stories can flow. Trust me on this.

We will tell you about our walk in the park that day that we will always remember, and no one would do well to forget.

chattanoogapulse.com • July 23-29 • The Pulse • 23

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