The Pulse - Vol. 8, Issue 38

Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative

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interview

MUSICAL SAVIOR MODern FOLK interPreter

M.WARD @ tracK 29 • 9.24 Screen

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FREE • NEWS | VIEWS | MUSIC | FILM | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • SEpTEMbER 22, 2011 • VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 38 • CHATTANOOGApULSE.COM

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

7 25 28 29 30

ON THE BEAT SHADES OF GREEN FREE WILL ASTROLOGY JONESIN' CROSSWORD LIFE IN THE NOOG

SEPTEMBER

22 2011

ontent C

VOLUME 8, ISSUE 38 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

MUSIC

Do you revel in the unexpected pleasures that life sometimes, if you’re lucky, accords you? The powerhouse performance duo known as The Two

Man Gentlemen Band

bestowed Some of that luck upon The Pulse this week with a copy of their new 7-inch (that’s a 45rpm vinyl record for you old folks) release.

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On the cover: M. Ward by Annie Musselman

www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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NEWS & OPINION Chattanooga’s Weekly Alternative President Jim Brewer, II Publisher Zachary Cooper Contributing Editor Janis Hashe News Editor Gary Poole Art Director Bill Ramsey Director of Sales Rhonda Rollins Advertising Sales Rick Leavell, Michelle Pih Contributors Rob Brezsny, Chuck Crowder Michael Crumb, John DeVore Janis Hashe, Matt Jones Chris Kelly, Sandra Kurtz Ernie Paik, Gary Poole Alex Teach, Tara V Editorial Cartoonist Rick Baldwin Editorial Intern Beth Miller Photography Josh Lang, Louis Lee Contact Info: Phone (423) 265-9494 Fax (423) 266-2335 Email Inquiries info@chattanoogapulse.com Calendar Submissions calendar@chattanoogapulse.com The Pulse is published weekly and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publishers may take more than one copy per weekly issue. The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors.

The Pulse is published by

Brewer Media 1305 Carter Street Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 Letters to the editor must include name, address and daytime phone number for verification. The Pulse reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity.

Please keep letters within 300 words in length.

The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on culture, the arts, entertainment and local news.

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Alcohol Enforcement Run Amok?

By Gary Poole, Pulse News Editor

B

usiness owners and restaurant/nightclub managers have been privately grumbling for months about what they see as an increasingly heavy-handed crackdown on all things alcohol-related by officers affiliated with the City of Chattanooga Beer Board. There have been reports of kitchen workers being breathalyzed, bartenders being subject to “compliance checks” involving fake IDs, and other stories of what is perceived by many as outright harassment.

The private grumblings became all too public in the past two weeks with two separate incidents that have focused a spotlight on both the downtown nightclub scene as well as what many are claiming was an abuse of power by one particular police officer.

In last week’s “On The Beat” column, our own Alex Teach defended the Chattanooga Police Department by claiming that no officers pressured the management of Track 29 to cut short the performance of Corey Smith on September 9. Club managers back up that claim, stating clearly on their Facebook page that they had asked Smith not to perform his song “F*** the Po-Po” and that when he went ahead with the song in spite of their request, they decided to cut power to the stage.

However, Teach also claimed that no officers were even present at Track 29 that night. But after we had gone to print, Teach called our offices to say he had just learned that he was incorrect: There was indeed at least one officer at Track 29 that night, and the officer in question is the same

cision was made based on testimony from police officers and nearby residents about ongoing problems with the club, including everything from fights and thefts to loud music played till early in the morning. Having a beer license revoked is a practical death sentence for a nightclub; while clubs can remain open without being able to sell beer, the chances of being successful are almost nil.

Naturally, being confronted with business failure, ownership of the Midtown Music Hall immediately fired back, filing a successful injunction against the beer board’s action, and getting a restraining order issued by Chancellor Jeff Atherton that allows them to continue selling beer while the case is reviewed by the courts. Owner Pete Waddington says that many of the claims by police and neighbors falsely painted his club in a bad light, pointing out that he even hired three off-duty police officers to provide extra security and have troublemakers removed from the club.

Chancellor Atherton will review the claims made by the board and counter-claims made by Waddington on December 7 and decide if the punishment handed down was appropriate or, as Waddington claims, “arbitrary and capricious”.

The question of what responsibility a nightclub has for patrons once they leave—and a good percentage of the disturbance calls responded to by police involved people outside of the club, some more than a block away—is one that city officials can no longer ignore. For it is obvious that the current methods of enforcement and punishment need to be addressed, and addressed soon.

“[Smith] stands by his claim that he was censored under ‘implicit pressure from the beer board.’”

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

one referred to in Smith’s new song, “Chattanooga”, which details problems with one “Officer John” that began some five years ago.

Officer John Collins, who works primarily as an enforcement and compliance officer with the beer board, claims through his attorney that at no time did he “order, suggest, ask or in any way try to get the management at Track 29 to cut Corey Smith and his performance.” Smith, for his part, says he was informed by his road manager that a “city official” threatened to pull the license of the club if they allowed him to play the song. He stands by his claim that he was censored under “implicit pressure from the beer board” and says it was an intolerable violation of free speech rights.

Less than a week later, the beer board met and voted six-to-two to revoke the beer license of the Midtown Music Hall on Georgia Avenue. The de-

NEWS & OPINION

Corey And The Cops I was there and I didn’t see ANY cops in Track 29 that night. And I looked, because I was pissed that Corey had been cut off in the middle of his encore. Nope, no cops. Then later the club owners said THEY made the decision to cut Corey’s mic, not the police.

Maybe Corey should get his own facts straight before acting like he’s some form of martyr.

Now he just sounds like an idiot with delusions of relevance.

Kyle Slater You may want to take another look at the story yourself, Alex [“The Oppressed Idiot Speaks Out”]. Chattanooga law enforcement was at the venue that night in the form of Officer John Collins. He has a known grudge against Corey Smith that dates back to his previous show at Rhythm & Brews where a beer was poured onto Collins. He may deny that fact but, the fact of the matter is that he was at the venue on the night in question. I’m not condoning any of the actions taken by any person involved in the fiasco...just pointing out a fact.

Paul Wilson Editor’s Note: Alex learned after last week’s issue had gone to press that Officer Collins was indeed present at Track 29 that night.

Send all letters to the editor and questions to

info@chattanoogapulse.com We reserve the right to edit letters for content and space. Please include your full name, city and contact information.

When writing a story about how stupid musicians are, at least you could do the basic research and discover the Phish never once recorded a cover of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin & Juice”. That was done by The Gourds. It’s hard to take someone seriously who can’t even be bothered to do basic fact-checking.

Michael Allen

Home Sweet Home Why is this city afraid to build affordable housing downtown ["In Search Of The American Dream"]? Ever since Cameron Hill was cleared to make room for the insurance palace, there hasn’t been any attempt to build a replacement in or around downtown. Sure, there have been lots of condos and high-end apartments and such built, but nothing that people, like me, who work in the restaurant industry downtown can afford. Part of having a “revitalized and vibrant” downtown is making it so that the people who work there can live closer than an hour’s bus ride away. Is it too much to ask that city planners remember all of the city’s residents and not just those with white collar jobs?

Terry Sinclair Gnome Sweet Gnome It was good to see some of the very artistic antique German gnomes imported by Frieda and Garnet Carter in the background of several of the photos in the “You May Go Gnome Again” article. I hope that in addition to serving as inspiration for the new gnomes, these magical little beings will continue to be preserved and cherished by those in charge of Rock City, as they are one of the last surviving links with Rock City’s founders.

Susan Tiq www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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NEWS & OPINION A weekly roundup of the newsworthy, notable and often head-scratching stories gleaned from police reports from the Chattanooga Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department and the Dalton Police Department.

News Briefs

• This Saturday, as part of “Child Passenger Safety Week,” the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Safe Journey Division, along with the Red Bank Police Department, will be at the Bi-Lo Store at 3901 Dayton Blvd. from 1 p.m to 3 p.m. for child seat checks. Certified child passenger safety technicians from both agencies will be available to perform child safety seat checks and to give free hands-on advice. Parents and caregivers are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to have their child seats checked, as well as making sure they have been installed correctly.

• Join food celebrity Alton Brown (along with many Brewer Media folks) at the Chattanooga Market this Sunday for the annual Cast Iron Cook-Off, sponsored by Lodge Manufacturing. Local chefs will use sustainable seafood, along with ingredients featured at the Market, to create their cuisine masterpieces while racing the clock. One dish will be named “Best of Market.” Haven’t been to the Chattanooga Market in a while? Make sure not to miss this one!

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• Sometimes it’s the people who should know best who do the worst. It appears that one North Georgia Baptist preacher must have skipped over the part in the Bible about stealing, better known as the Eighth Commandment (or Seventh for our Roman Catholic and Lutheran readers). The pastor in question turned himself in to authorities and faces felony charges of theft. Police say the minister should have known his wife had bought a Chickamauga home with stolen money. Investigators say the wife bought the $165,000 home with money stolen from a retired teacher who is in assisted living, over whom she had power of attorney.

We recommend that both of them take a remedial Bible study class, and hope they haven’t broken any of the rest of the commandments.

• What can Brown do for you? How about deliver your pot? Customs officials, working with local police, confiscated about 500 pounds of marijuana last week after following the package from Brownsville, Texas. That was where drug dogs first alerted on the package, raising the suspicions of law enforcement. They watched the package until it was picked up in Ringgold by two Whitfield County men, at which point officers followed the men home.

Once there, officers raided the home, taking the two men into custody and confiscating not only the pot, but also a number of weapons, a BMW and $14,000 in cash. Officials say the marijuana had a street value of as much as a million dollars.

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

• There’s no place like home, especially to the government. In Bradley County, federal authorities are going after a man’s home. They say the home on Mount Bethel Road has been used for years to grow pot, and have filed a civil lawsuit to get it. The 31-year-old owner of the home has been in trouble several times with the law. Some 200 marijuana plants were found several months ago in the home, and then authorities say the homeowner and amateur farmer tried to leave the country shortly after that incident. He is currently free on his own recognizance, and we hope he is using his time wisely in packing up his (legal) belongings and seeking out new lodgings.

• Some say it was an overreaction, others say it falls under “better safe than sorry”, but

all we can say is someone needs to pay more attention to office leftovers. We can only hope that someone at Memorial Hospital has volunteered for this duty, a week after city firefighters and haz-mat personnel responded to the report of a “musty odor” in the mailroom.

One of the employees started complaining of a sore throat, and before long, six employees were making the same complaint. The employees were taken to the emergency room and placed in isolation, the hospital activated its emergency command center, and the fire department set up a command post outside the hospital while firefighters in full protective gear made a search of the building…only to find no source of the odor. It wasn’t until a postal inspector checked a trashcan that the culprit was discovered: two old, moldy bananas.

OPINION

On The Beat

Epilogue to a Gunfight I

same crime, same felt a sting but that was all, and it lack of meaningful immediately passed. I must’ve been reason, after all…but grazed; how lucky was that? A full-bore no. This was different. gunfight, and all I got was a scratch on my The world took on an back and I walked away. unpleasant yellowishSeasons never really seemed to change green tint and I in the Projects, but as summer was wrote this off to the turning into fall it was finally getting lingering adrenaline. cooler in the evenings. All the action Ah, adrenaline. The had evened out the temperature for me, body is such a miracle; though, so I took it as another small gift in the things it does that as many seconds. we take for granted Two groups of kids (note: I did not say amaze me. Mercifully, “gangs”, I said “groups”…it makes all the most people aren’t regularly in life-anddifference in the press) got in a fight over death situations, but there was a time in a girl, of all things, so what better way our development as a species that it was to resolve it than gunfire into the other a daily occurrence. We can now knot a “group”? Ridiculous. Nature of the beast tie and buy shoes for 100 different uses though. and occasions…but the old glands and I thought about my scratch but knew it chemicals are still there safe inside us, was nothing compared to the other poor ready to give us the sudden kick to flee a bastard a block away from me. Nineteen predator or catch our prey, just waiting years old and he took a random shot to below the surface. Literally. the head from a 30 year old fighting (While grateful for these things, I was over a spat between two teens. Seem NOT grateful for my tongue going so senseless? Then congratulate yourself, dry it felt like it was rotting in my mouth. sir or ma’am; you’re still a civilized human Yuck.) being. Me, I’m not so When we’re lucky. I mean, I think “I don’t need to punctured or maimed, it’s crazy, too, but it the body even does its dedicate every doesn’t exactly stop me own form of internal gray cell to in my tracks anymore. triage…it restricts blood processing the I don’t need to dedicate flow to some sections, every gray cell to stark waste of it all and as time passes, processing the stark it even lets organs like you do, or at waste of it all like you perish in a specific least like the most order in a cellulardo, or at least like the most normal of us do. I normal of us do. I level effort to save our miss that. brain. Platelets in our miss that.”

My head was stuffy blood plug small leaks, from the adrenaline dump. My thoughts, our brains deprioritize nonessentials, so crystalline just moments ago, were like short-term memory, for the bigger sticking in my head like wet leaves in a things…again, incredible. So to see it drainpipe. Maybe I was thinking on this squandered over something as asinine as too much, and it had happened so many a teenage girl’s argument? Yeah, I guess times before that the thoughts of horror I was still somewhat civilized to feel this were just background noise…same street, way.

It’s easy to let it slip, you know; most of us don’t even know when it happened, when we lost that good and decent part of the brain that knows, just KNOWS mothers don’t cover for their boyfriends after they rape their little boys in a graveyard, that fathers don’t rape their handicapped daughters, that mothers don’t lock children in closets…for weeks, or months.

(I’m thinking too much about this; people are staring at me as I try to get back to my car. But still I think.)

By comparison it’s easy to fathom a stupid and/or crooked politician or someone getting bitten by a once-friendly dog. But as it slips into dealing with what’s waiting for you in the next car you pull over, then into the deeper horrors in the very neighborhoods I mentioned above… yes. It’s easy to slip. (“You should just quit then!” I can hear out there. Really?

Then what?)

I finally shake these thoughts when I notice that something sticks in my head about the people staring at me: They’re not blinking. What?

I say something to one of them but only a cold whisper comes out of my mouth, and a tooth. I’m suddenly afraid again but it quickly passes as that answer, too, settled on my shoulders.

I hate being right. Well, half-right.

That bullet wasn’t a graze. And the brain, it seems, IS the last to go.

[Fade to black]

Alex Teach

When Officer Alexander D. Teach is not patrolling our fair city on the heels of the criminal element, he is an occasional student, carpenter, boating enthusiast, and spends his spare time volunteering for the Boehm Birth Defects Center. Follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alex.teach www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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COVER STORY

Genre jumper Singer-songwriter M. Ward is ‘the real deal’ — a musician whose meaningful songs return passion and fire to the meaningless void that is modern music. By Chris Kelly

T

he world of music has changed — dramatically. Gone are

This river that we ride

the days that you excitedly entered a store looking for

Has always been alive

the album that you’ve saved your lunch money for, going

O’ my soul one hundred million years

hungry for days, just so you could listen and gaze upon

This love, this light between you and I

the cover, worshipping the cardboard and vinyl effigy.

Is older than that burning ball of fire in the sky

Now it’s all downloaded and created by big corporations.

And the gale that fills our sail

Techno, Top 40, and pop, in all their meaningless glory, have left a great number of us longing for something real. Lyrics are a forgotten art and have little bearing on what is marketable is today’s business. Video killed the radio star — then Internet killed the video star. Then, a musician like M. Ward steps up to the plate, he swings, and gives us all hope that some genuine music and musicians are still out there, and provides hope for the whole industry.

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M. Ward

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COVER STORY

She and Him

“It’s called A Very She and Him Christmas.” Ward says of his upcoming album with Zooey Deschanel.

“It’s not your typical Christmas album. We’ve worked hard to keep it from being too similar to the other holiday songs you’ve heard a million times.”

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“Not only does he bring original material to the record and stage, his songwriting has something meaningful to say — and it says it well.”

Ward is the real McCoy. He plays with passion and fire. Not only does he bring original material to the record and stage, his songwriting has something meaningful to say — and it says it well. As far as cover material goes, he takes a song that was written and performed by someone else, rearranges it, speeds it up or slows it down and makes it his very own.

Matt Ward has a difficult job, with fickle demands and a fan base that knows no loyalty. These days making a living in the music business is dicey — too much of the audience depends on visual stimulation from scantily clad vixens and/or right-wing cowboy-hatwearing wannabes with belt buckles the size of dinner platters. Ward does his job and keeps audiences interested with a scaled-down stage setup and real people playing real instruments. I was excited to interview him.

Relaxing in his hotel room in Sweden, Ward was sharing with me by phone his thoughts on playing Europe. “It’s really nice and beautiful but kinda cold! I’ve been playing solo shows with my acoustic guitar and piano.” He was also generous enough with his time to talk with me about his, life, career and his upcoming Tennessee shows.

“I’m also playing in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis with Dawes, and I’m really looking forward to being there. Tennessee is beautiful!” he said.

M. Ward is an artist with an impressive resume.

As a singer-songwriter, a producer, an instrumental-

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ist and a stellar live performer, he’s got all his musical bases covered. His collaborative efforts include a lively, pop-induced project with Zooey Deschanel called She and Him. Ward is also part of the enormously popular band Monsters of Folk.

Born in Ventura County, this Southern California native comes from a non-musical family, but started playing piano at an early age. It was the guitar, however, that really attracted his attention during high school. “I had a Beatles songbook and drew a lot of inspiration from them. Later on I listened to KROD in Los Angeles and found a lot of influence from Sonic Youth and a later influence for me, for instrumental guitar, was John Fahey.” He also cited the countryrock sounds of Southern California as inspiration: “I listened to Gram Parsons a lot and was heavily exposed to that whole bowl of soup.”

Ward has also developed a fine voice for his craft.

His voice is a musical-genre-jumping gift that he uses in all the right places, ranging from crooning and soft, to light and ethereal, and even to a dark, Southern, bluesy growl when needed: Oh I went to the doctor I said doctor please What do you do when your true love leaves?

He said the hardest thing in the world to do Is to find somebody who believes in you Make a sad, make a sad, make a sad, sad song M. Ward

COVER COVER STORY STORY As As Ward’s Ward’s talent talent and and career career grew, grew, he he released released his his first LP, Duet for Guitars #2, on the Ow first LP, Duet for Guitars #2, on the Ow Om Om record record label. label. After After another another solo solo studio studio album, album, End End of of AmneAmnesia, sia, he he released released aa live live LP LP on on his his own own label. label. The The disc, disc, Live Live Music Music and and the the Voice Voice of of Strangers, Strangers, was was only only sold sold at at live live shows. shows.

Ward Ward continued continued to to hone hone his his skills skills and and worked worked with with an array of artists.

He worked as a musician an array of artists. He worked as a musician with with Arizona Arizona Amp Amp and and Alternator, Alternator, which which officially officially had had no no band members but several collaborating musicians. band members but several collaborating musicians.

He He played played guitar guitar for for the the band band Bright Bright Eyes Eyes on on the the Late Late Late Late Show Show and and during during the the performance performance aa band band memmember ber yelled yelled out out “M. “M. Ward Ward for for President!”

President!” This This comment comment earned earned Ward Ward an an interview interview with with Newsweek Newsweek magazine magazine for for his his next next album, album, Transistor Transistor Radio.

Radio. In In 2006, 2006, the the album album Post-War Post-War was was aa treatise treatise on on how how America America could could ever ever recover recover from from the the war war with with Iraq.

Iraq. His His last last solo solo studio studio album, album, Hold Hold Time, Time, was was released released in in 2009.

2009. All All this this and and his role as a producer on several albums have his role as a producer on several albums have led led him him down down an an industrious industrious musical musical road. road.

Ward continues to Ward continues to be be aa busy busy man. man. With With two two brandbrandnew new albums albums on on the the horizon, horizon, he he is is noticeably noticeably excited. excited.

“I’m “I’m feeling feeling really really good good about about my my new new album, album, it’s it’s comcoming along well, but it’s too soon to give many ing along well, but it’s too soon to give many details details about about it. it. There There are are also also many many collaborations collaborations in in the the making making of of this this record.” record.” He He has has also also been been busy busy workworking ing on on his his project project with with Zooey Zooey Deschanel, Deschanel, and and now now aa Christmas Christmas album album is is in in the the wings. wings.

“It’s “It’s called called A A Very Very She She and and Him Him Christmas.”

Christmas.” Ward Ward

M. Ward, M. Ward, guitarist guitarist “I had a Beatles songbook “I had a Beatles songbook and and drew drew aa lot lot of of inspiration inspiration from from them. them. Later Later on on II listened listened to KROD in Los Angeles to KROD in Los Angeles and and found found aa lot lot of of influence influence from from Sonic Sonic Youth Youth and and aa later later influinfluence for me, for instrumental ence for me, for instrumental guitar, guitar, was was John John Fahey.”

Fahey.”

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DOUG SEYMOUR DOUG SEYMOUR

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COVER STORY said, “It’s not your typical Christmas album. We’ve worked hard to keep it from being too similar to the other holiday songs you’ve heard a million times.” The LP is scheduled for release on October 25 on Merge Records.

Ward was open and friendly during our conversation and talked about what he liked listening to now.

“I’m listening to a lot of Harry Nilsson now; he was such an amazing artist.” When I asked him about the recording artists of today, and how he thought about the state of today’s music he quipped, “I have mixed feelings. I’m not too interested in spending much time finding out I think! I spend most of my musiclistening time listening to records I’ve heard about by word-of-mouth or re-listening to records I know I already like.”

M. Ward now makes his home in Portland, Oregon. Having lived in the Pacific Northwest for more than 11 years, he actually came to find his place as a musician there. In a recent interview, he described how his career evolved and was never anything that was planned. “It started out by getting invitations from artists that I really love and respect, to share a stage,” he stated. He now lives a life of contentment in Portland, where he and his music fit right in. “My only advice is to never take advice from anyone about how music should be made.”

Listening to Ward’s music, it’s obvious he takes his own advice. He has some cover material that puts an engrossing twist on some old favorites. The late, great Buddy Holly’s “Rave On,” typically an upbeat tune, has been converted into a groovy little ditty with a

“His voice is a musical-genre-jumping gift that he uses in all the right places, ranging from crooning and soft, to light and ethereal, and even to a dark, Southern, bluesy growl when needed.” lazy backbeat and predominant acoustic strumming accentuating Ward’s dreamy vocals. David Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance,” the early-’80s hit featuring on guitar none other than Stevie Ray Vaughan, has also been given an acoustic backdrop. All the ’80s Top 40 sounds have been stripped from the song, and it almost, almost resembles piano-bar melodies from an artist like Diana Krall.

For longtime fans of M. Ward, the show at Track 29 will be everything they expect and then some.

Ward is on this tour “as sort of a warm up tour for the tour coming up to promote the new album. It’s kind of relaxed.” In an intimate setting like Track 29, newcomers to his music will get an up-close-and-personal exhibition of a master artist at his craft and something new to look forward to in their musical library.

Supporting act Dawes is a Southern California folk-rock band that is building quite a resume itself.

They have been given the job of opening for Ward and

serving as his band for every show he plays in Tennessee. With a new album, Nothing is Wrong, they are on the road to champion the new disc (also available on vinyl – YEAH!) and to gain a deeper fan base.

Dawes was on The Late Show with David Letterman recently backing former guitarist and songwriter for The Band, Robbie Robertson, touting his album, How to be Clairvoyant. Guitar player and vocalist Taylor Goldsmith talked during our short interview about his view of today’s music. “There’s a lot of great stuff out there,” he commented. “With the independent labels and the Internet, people that work within all different styles can find a career. No matter what it is, it’ll find a home.”

Goldsmith, who grew up in the Los Angeles area, noted that he had a cornucopia of locally based music to be inspired by, but he cut his musical teeth on the likes of Bob Dylan and Warren Zevon. “As a band, we liked the country-rock sounds of L.A. but we never

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really listened to them or drew influence from those guys until everyone started telling us we sounded like them,” he noted.

In the end, it was really Taylor Goldsmith who spoke for both acts. “We are a band that’s very direct. We play our instruments and really stand behind the songs we play. It’s really all about the live experience, coming to the show and listening to what can’t be caught on an album.” Ward substantiated Goldsmith’s statement: “There will be no pyrotechnics. I’d recommend visiting your local record store and buying one of my records and see if you like what you hear. I’ve heard that Leo Handmade Gallery and For the Record are great places to go record shopping.”

So be sure to head out to Track 29 on September 24 for a night of world-class music. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets, $23 in advance and $25 day of show, are available at Track 29 and on the website, www.track29.co. Be sure to check out the websites for both M. Ward: www. mwardmusic.com, and Dawes: www.dawestheband. com Chris Kelly is a freelance writer from the wild, western and sometimes frozen wasteland of Colorado. He is now making his home in Hixson, Tennessee where the heat and humidity have wrought horrors upon him that are unimaginable for a person spoiled by Rocky Mountain summers. A musician himself, he drives anyone around him insane with talk of glory days and Bob Dylan cover tunes. He can be reached at hawkeye1969@hotmail. com.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Take A Sculpture Stroll Down Main

By Michael Crumb, Pulse Arts Writer

P

eggy Townsend and her assistant Elizabeth Carriger have nearly completed their new installation of Main Street sculptures. When complete, 13 works will adorn the sidewalks from Niedlov’s on East Main to West Main and Broad Streets.

These sculptures will show for two years.

Regarding the Main Street installations: The selection panel, which chose from many applications, seemed to favor works that exhibit both a sophisticated use of materials and a fine understanding of aesthetic form. Happily, the largely formal character of these works does not exclude the whimsical or the darkly ironic from their presentations. Chattanoogans and visitors ought to be delighted with these diverse offerings.

Across from the firehouse, “Where’s My Hammer?” by R. L. Hughey and Deborah McNeil from Franklin, Georgia, presents a large chair, almost completely fabricated from old tools, including many of antique design. This intricate found-art assemblage in a uniform dark brown color suggestive of old rust possesses dynamism in that attention shifts from the whole form to its constituent pieces and back, a bit of a wonderment.

“Fortitude” places a curled oak leaf on a pedestal in front of green|spaces. Mark Kruckle of Garner, North Carolina, uses steel, oil paint and rust to present this natural image. Consequently, with “Tennessee” leaf installed at Renaissance Park, North and South Chattanooga are united in leaf form.

Paris Alexander of Raleigh, North Carolina, presents “Orpheus” in a contemporary, fine-arts approach, using limestone of various types, including different kinds of marble. A much-worked oval stands on a marble block on which the title has been inscribed. Perhaps suggestive of the “dead” past, this

“The largely formal character of these works does not exclude the whimsical or the darkly ironic from their presentations.”

figure resonated eerily. There is also a larger pedestal assembly beneath made of fine marble blocks. “Orpheus” sits before the H*art Gallery.

“Composite Wing” merges inorganic material, mostly iron and glass, with organic design.

The spiral feathering that orients in at least two directions suggests dynamic motion.

Jan Shearin from Bakersville, North Carolina, seems to suggest a vision of instantaneity when feathers unfurl. A deep irony inhabits this piece, which is grounded in heavy iron, yet which embraces the air in front of Shadowbox.

Hanna Jubran from Grimesland, North Carolina, has multiple ironies suggested by “Harmony in Nature #2”, located at the Hair Lounge at East Main and Market Streets.

Made from stainless steel and bronze, the “distressed” finish of the stainless pedestal has accents suggestive of sharp edges. A bronze hemisphere with other bronze accents and “bendy” supports hold a smaller pedestal with a profusion of steel pieces. Fierce!

Rondell Crier’s “The Sound of Change” outside of Blue Orleans at West Main and Market Streets shows a trombone player, somewhat abstracted, constructed of layers of aluminum. Especially at night, ambient traffic light plays over its many surfaces, which, quite remarkably, appear to be inlaid.

We are familiar with this effect in wood pieces, but on metal this subtle effect shows innovation of this medium. Change indeed!

Marc Moulton from Statesboro, Georgia, has “Furl” on

West Main Street. A massive steel wheel with very intricate and curvy spokes sits on a round, adobe pedestal. The “curves within curves” design shows a satisfying harmony.

Also on West Main, Luke Achterberg from Lexington, Kentucky, unleashes “Fettle.”

Its colors of dark blue, yellow and orange project from its curved surfaces connected by curved supports. This is wild, lovely work—just delightful.

“Casey Standing” at West Main and Williams Streets by Alan LeQuire from Nashville features a bronze figure of a girl. The surface of this bronze embraces light, night or day.

Michael Russell’s “Woman With Child”, placed next to the Key Club, essentulizes its concept in quarter-inch-thick steel. This form engenders its own extension. The artist is from Athens, Tennessee.

Finally, “The Ultimate Truth” by Noah Brock of Tallahassee, Florida, sits at West Main and Cowart Streets. So ironic, a huge, blue “tear” made of so many circles of various sizes.

Whoa!

Additionally, a public art permanent installation has recently been made at Miller Park, featuring the work “Black on White” by Chattanooga artist Samuel Burns. Enabled by a private donation to Public Arts Chattanooga, this geometric abstract sits on the high point of the park by Georgia Avenue, and it seems a fitting complement to our large, marble Federal Building across the street. Burns’ piece has elegance, and it suggests complexities beyond its apparently simple appearance. See it close.

www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

Sarah’s Key

A journalist’s investigation of the Holocaust leads to self-revelations. part of AEC Independent Film Series.

Check website for showtimes.

Majestic 12, 311 Broad St. (423) 265-5220. www.carmike.com

Thursday

Rock City’s Enchanted Maize 9 a.m. 271 Chattanooga Valley Rd., Flintstone, GA. (706) 820-2531. www.enchantedmaze.com An Artist’s View of Beverly Semmes 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View. (423) 266-0944. www.huntermuseum.org Jewish Voices 7 p.m. Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 N. Terrace Rd. (423) 493-0270. www.jewishchattanooga.com Mystery of the TV Talk Show 7 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Etta May 8 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com

Friday

Rock City’s Enchanted Maize 9 a.m. 271 Chattanooga Valley Rd., Flintstone, GA. (706) 820-2531. www.enchantedmaze.com Fresh on Fridays Marketplace 11 a.m. Miller Plaza, 850 Market St. (423) 265-3700.

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

Buck Visit www.carmike.com for times.

Majestic 12, 311 Broad St. (423) 826-2370.

“Born in Trenchtown” Artist Talk and Reception 4:30 p.m. University Art Gallery, 68 Georgia Ave., Sewanee. www.sewanee.edu/gallery Balloons & Tunes Festival 5 p.m. Thaker Dr., Rock Spring. www.balloonsandtunesfestival.com Mystery of Flight 138 7 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839.

Guest Artist Ryan Fogg 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center Roland Hayes Hall, 725 Vine St. (423) 425-4601. www.utc.edu/music Etta May 7:30, 10 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Wit 7:30 p.m. Lee University, Edna Minor Conn Theatre, Lee University, Cleveland. (423) 614-8343. www.leeuniversity.edu Lunch Money 7:30 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141. ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com Ten Little Indians 8 p.m. Oak Street Playhouse, FirstCentenary Methodist Church, 419 McCallie Ave. (423) 756-2428. www.oakstreetplayhouse.com Stand Up Comedy! Jarrod Harris 9:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Female Impersonation Show Midnight. Images Cabaret, 6065 Lee Hwy. (423) 855-8210. www.imagesbar.com

Saturday

A Walk for Cammy’s Cause 8 a.m. Coolidge Park, 150 River St. www.mcrfoundation.com.

2011 Hyperflite Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship 9 a.m. AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. (423) 267-2208. www.skyhoundz.com Hunger Wipeout 9:30 a.m. The Chattanooga Area Foodbank, 2009 Curtain Pole Rd. (423) 622-1800. www.chattfoodbank.org Hamilton County Fair 10 a.m. Chester Frost Park, 2318 Gold Point Cr. N. www.hamiltontn.gov/fair Brainerd Farmers Market 10 a.m. Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. (423) 458-6281.

Chattanooga River Market 10 a.m. Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. (423) 648-2496. www.chattanoogamarket.com Balloons & Tunes Festival 10 a.m. Thaker Dr., Rock Spring. www.balloonsandtunesfestival.com Rock City’s Enchanted Maize 10:30 a.m. 271 Chattanooga Valley Rd., Flintstone. (706) 820-2531. www.enchantedmaze.com Buck (part of AEC Independent Film Series) Visit www.carmike.com for times.

Majestic 12, 311 Broad St. (423) 826-2370.

Art till Dark Noon. 40 Frazier Ave. (423) 413-8999. www.arttildark.com Future River Fest 2 p.m. Renaissance Park, River St. (423) 892-5237. www.facebook.com/FutureRiver

Wit

The thought-provoking offBroadway hit. $10 7:30 p.m.

EMC Theatre, Lee University, Church and 11th Sts., Cleveland, (423) 614-8343. leeuniversity.edu/theatre Lunch Money 2 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141.

Mystery at the Nightmare Office Party 5:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839.

Celebration of Life and Hope 6:30 p.m. Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St. (423) 855-7570.

Down Home with Dickel 7 p.m. Crash Pad, 29 Johnson St. Find them on Facebook.

Chattanooga Roller Girls vs. CQS Miss B-Havers 7 p.m. Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. www.chattanoogarollergirls.com Etta May 7:30, 10 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com Wit 7:30 p.m. Lee University, Edna Minor Conn Theatre, Lee University, Cleveland. (423) 614-8343. www.leeuniversity.edu Long Time Since Yesterday 8 p.m. Chattanooga State Humanities Theatre, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-3246.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SATURDAY

CSO Opening Night: Rimsky-Korsokov, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky

Maestra Kayoko Dan makes her debut. $19-$79 8 p.m.

Tivoli Theater, 709 Broad St. (423) 267-8583. chattanoogasymphony.org Ten Little Indians 8 p.m. Oak Street Playhouse, FirstCentenary Methodist Church, 419 McCallie Ave. (423) 756-2428. www.oakstreetplayhouse.com Dare to Dance 8 p.m. Alhambra Shrine Building, 1000 Alhambra Dr. www.daretodance2011.com CSO Masterworks Opening Night 8 p.m. Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5050. www.chattanooga.gov Mystery at the Redneck-Italian Wedding 8 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Chattanooga Ghost Hunt 9:30 p.m. Patten Chapel, 615 McCallie Ave. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com Stand Up Comedy! Jarrod Harris 10:30 p.m. Vaudeville Café, 138 Market St. (423) 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com Female Impersonation Show Midnight. Images Cabaret, 6065 Lee Hwy. (423) 855-8210. www.imagesbar.com

SUNDAY

Sunday

2011 Hyperflite Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship 9 a.m. AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley. (423) 267-2208. www.skyhoundz.com Hamilton County Fair 10 a.m. Chester Frost Park, 2318 Gold Point Cr. N. www.hamiltontn.gov/fair 12th Annual Susan G. Komen Chattanooga Race for the Cure 11 a.m. UTC Mckenzie Arena, 720 East 4th St. Chattanooga Market: Cast Iron Cook-Off 11 a.m. First Tennesee Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. www.chattanoogamarket.com Buck (part of AEC Independent Film Series) Visit www.carmike.com for times.

Majestic 12, 311 Broad St. (423) 826-2370.

Rock City’s Enchanted Maize Noon. 271 Chattanooga Valley Rd., Flintstone, GA. (706) 820-2531. www.enchantedmaze.com Wit 2:30 p.m. Lee University, Edna Minor Conn Theatre, Lee University, Cleveland. (423) 614-8343. www.leeuniversity.edu Long Time Since Yesterday 4 p.m. Chattanooga State Humanities Theatre, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-3246.

Lunch Money 6:30 p.m. Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 1918 Union Ave. (423) 987-5141.

Scenic City Comedy Search 8 p.m. The Comedy Catch, 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233. www.thecomedycatch.com

Movie Night 8 p.m. Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Cafe, 501 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 752-5224.

Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com

Monday

Buck (part of AEC Independent Film Series) Visit www.carmike.com for times.

Majestic 12, 311 Broad St. (423) 826-2370.

Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com

Tuesday

Buck (part of AEC Independent Film Series) Visit www.carmike.com for times.

Majestic 12, 311 Broad St. (423) 826-2370.

Songwriter’s Line-up 7 p.m. The Camp House, 1427 Williams St. (423) 702-8081.

Find them on Facebook.

Patten Performances: Orla Fallon 7:30 p.m. UTC Fine Arts Center Roland Hayes Hall, 725 Vine St. (423) 425-4601. www.utc.edu/music Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125.

Wednesday

Buck (part of AEC Independent Film Series) Visit www.carmike.com for times.

Majestic 12, 311 Broad St. (423) 826-2370.

Long Time Since Yesterday

College reunion of black professional women sparks memories. $15 advance, $20 door 4 p.m.

Humanities Theater, Chattanooga State, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 242-5156. destinyentertainment.org Main Street Farmers Market 4 p.m. Main St. at Williams St. www.mainstfarmersmarket.com Chattanooga Ghost Tour 8:15 p.m. Walnut Street Bridge, 100 Walnut St. (423) 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com

Ongoing

Sandra Mendez Photography Exhibit Southern Adventist University, 4881 Taylor Cr. Collegedale.

(423) 236-2000. www.southern.edu “Kids Like You, Kids Like Me” Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St. (423) 648-6043. www.cdmfun.org “Born in Trenchtown” Sewanee University Art Gallery, 735 University Ave. www.gallery.sewanee.edu “A Breath of Fresh Air” Shuptrine Fine Art Group, 2646 Broad St. (423) 266-4453. www.shuptrinefineartgroup.com Athens Community Artist League Reflections Gallery, 6922 Lee Hwy. (423) 892-3072. www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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MUSIC

On a Mission at Lindsay Street Music Hall

By Tara V, Pulse Music Writer

S

o—there is this place I love and am proud to share with you. The family and people behind it make me, for a lack of a better word, happy. I feel good when I go and feel good when I can shake hands with someone who has stepped into its presence for the first time. With its stained glass and grassy lawn, the Lindsay Street Music Hall downtown has become a hidden gem.

Since 2006, the Crisp “With its stained family has put every bit of soul into bringing life back to glass and one of the older buildings in grassy lawn, Chattanooga. Built in 1903, the Lindsay Street Hall was a the Lindsay church for almost a century, Street Music then sat for many years until Hall downtown the Crisps took over. Since its restoration, it has been placed has become a on the National Registry of hidden gem.”

Historical Places as well as received a Cornerstones award for historical preservation. Hosting a multitude of weddings receptions and corporate events the hall has been put to use—but there is another side to this story, and it involves the love for music.

I have been extremely fortunate to get to know this family and take part in conversations about how LSMH can make Chattanooga better, while providing goodwill to the music community and educating our youth. The folks at LSMH are doing all three.

Providing a beautiful place for musicians to play.

The past couple weeks have showcased Friday night outdoor concerts, with nasty bluegrass from Strung Like a Horse and our old friends The Nim Nims. This week, you can catch The Bohannons. For months, local bands have

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been turning on the amps. With Nightfall over, the void in outdoor music can be filled and here is the kicker...the cover is only $5. After that, you get free beer donated by Budweiser of Chattanooga. Did you read that correctly? Yes, free beer. (But you can tip…) All proceeds are invested into the nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.

Providing “Live at Lindsay Street” recordings.

The team at LSH realized how hard it is to obtain audio and video recordings when you are just starting out. Lack of knowledge, equipment and/or funds means getting quality recordings can be a challenge. Yet anyone in the business or in a band knows that having a demo to provide to potential venues can really put you ahead of the rest, especially when it has the vibe and analog sound that can be created in Lindsay Street Music Hall. Using the idea of a co-op trade, local and regional acts will now have an opportunity to access such tools under “Live at Lindsay Street”. There is already a sampler with groups such as Moonslew, Rick Rushing, Endelouz, New Binkley Brothers, and many more available. Strung Like a Horse (who is also on the sampler) has already gotten their copies. You could be next.

Providing education.

Lindsay Street Music Hall became a nonprofit with the mission to “...inspire the Chattanooga community to celebrate its musical heritage through education and innovation.” The arts are very important to us in Chattanooga

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

and having another space to educate children about genres such as blues, world, bluegrass, and jazz is a necessity. Two field trips are in the works for Hamilton County schools in the spring, and the idea is to be in full swing by fall 2012, offering live performances, documentaries, Q&A and historical enrichment.

Find Lindsay Street Music Hall on Facebook or at www. lindsaystreethall.com and stay tuned because much more is to come. If you are interested in taking part, let them know and most of all: See you Friday!

The Bohannons $5 9 p.m. Friday, September 23 Lindsay Street Music Hall, 901 Lindsay St. (423) 755-9111.

MUSIC

Janko Nilović

U.S. Girls / Slim Twig

(Vadim)

(Palmist)

Soul Impressions

Tu n e d - i n DJs and hiphop artists have known for years that certain European library records—that is, mostly instrumental albums with typically generic cover art, created with the intention of being licensed for film, radio, television, etc.—made in the ’60s and ’70s are goldmines for sample material and breakbeats.

The Montenegro-born composer and pianist Janko Nilovic is far from being a household name, but some who have sampled him, such as Jay-Z who used a Nilović excerpt in his Grammy-winning “D.O.A. (Death of Autotune),” certainly are. Nilović has an impressive discography of meticulously made, funk and jazz-inflected instrumentals, and his out-ofprint library records consistently go for threefigure sums on eBay. Vadim Records deserves a medal for putting certain key Nilović albums back in print; last year saw the reissue of his jaw-droppingly awesome, orchestral funk masterpiece Rythmes Contemporains, and this year, two more arrive: Funky Tramway and Soul Impressions, both from 1975.

The best moments on Soul Impressions evoke black action movies of the time period, with energetic funk explosions and the right amount of sleaziness and badassery. It opens with “Hippocampus,” featuring two guitars playing the same melody, with one using a psychedelic fuzz tone and the other using wah-wah effects; it oozes pure pimpitude, even before the brass and congas emerge. “Drug Song” is another deep-groove, head-nod-inducing track, with a flawlessly tight rhythm section and flutey goodness. However, Soul Impressions has a weird duality that may catch people off-guard, alternating between soul-funk numbers and tracks that lean toward easy listening, like “Lettre De Mer,” a gentle folky track with regal brass flourishes.

These selections bring to mind Herb Alpert’s brass cheesiness with Enoch Light’s production values.

Soul Impressions would have a better flow by grouping the funk songs on one side and the easy-listening tracks on the other, but as-is, it’s an impressively crafted album and welcome reissue. — Ernie Paik

Split

The two artists, U.S. Girls and Slim Twig, on this new split album are misfits who comfortably stand beside each other, inhabiting common ground by both taking early ’60s pop music elements and twisting them into oddities (or odd ditties, one could say).

Megan Remy, a.k.a. U.S. Girls, moves slightly away from the unrepentantly lowfidelity, noisy, blasé, haunting style she had cultivated on her first two albums. The great opener, “If These Walls Could Talk,” uses a looped sample of Little Eva’s “The LocoMotion” and some choice note-warping, atop which Remy sings like Ronnie Spector with an almost monotonic delivery.

“I Won’t Tell” follows with an incredibly concise pop tug, cramming all it needs to say in 34 seconds, and the short instrumental “Morgan Bolger Lahr Haley” takes an abstract turn, with whooshing sounds and a few ringing notes.

Possibly Remy’s most straightforward song of her career as U.S. Girls is a fairly conventional cover of The Tams’ 1962 hit “Untie Me”; Remy puts a feminine twist on it by ending with the chorus of “I Will Follow Him” popularized by Little Peggy March. Is she courting the Best Coast crowd by being a little more accessible? By separating the noise from the pure pop, I’d say “possibly.”

It’s even harder to understand what Toronto musical schizoid Slim Twig is going for.

“Paisley Skin” employs a Ren Faire loop, a conspicuous drum machine, and a Vegaslounge-hip-hop vocal swagger, and “Priscilla” is like a goofy yet dark, corrupted Beach Boys tune, with Moe Tucker-esque drumming and singing like a cross between Julian Casablancas and Elvis.

“I’ll Always Be a Child” is Twig’s weird duet with himself, an uneasy, piano-driven song that’s somewhere between musical theater and a therapeutic recollection, ending an oddball album that means well but is consciously twisted. — Ernie Paik www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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MUSIC

THURSDAY

Jungol, tHE HEARtS in LIGHt

Jungol brings “thriving tribal beats, soaring guitar riffs” with “electro pop power.” $5 8 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 266-1400. myspace.com/jjsbohemia

Thursday

Ben Friberg Trio 7 p.m. Table 2, 232 E. 11th St. (423) 756-8253. www.table2restaurant.com Audience Choice Night 7 p.m. McHale’s Brewhouse, 724 Ashland Ter. (423) 877-2124. www.mchalesbrewhouse.com Songwriter’s Night 7 p.m. Sugar’s Ribs, 507 Broad St. (423) 508-8956. www.sugarsribs.com Open Mic Night 7:30 p.m. The CampHouse, 1427 Williams St. (423) 702-8081. www.thecamphouse.com Blues Jam with Rick Rushing 7:30 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Jimmy Harris 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Billy “Lightning” Hopkins 8 p.m. Southside Bistro & Saloon, 1301 Chestnut St. (423) 757-4730. www.southsidesaloonandbistro.com

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

FRIDAY

Summer Hullender 8 p.m. Acoustic Café, 61 RBC Dr., Ringgold. (706) 965-2065. www.ringgoldacoustic.com Crossfire 8 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Jungol, Hearts in Light 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia Feedback Revival with Lon Eldridge 9 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com.

Yarn with Slim Pickens 9:30 p.m. Rhythm and Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com.

Friday

Johnny Cash Tribute Band 5 p.m. Chattanooga Choo Choo Victorian Lounge, 1400 Market St. (423) 266-5000. www.choochoo.com/localevents.

Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com.

Rigoletto, Behold the Brave, Raenbow Station, Canines 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 412 Market St. www.warehousevenue.com.

NewFound Road 8 p.m. Barking Legs Theatre, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org.

Johnston & Brown 8 p.m. Acoustic Café, 61 RBC Dr., Ringgold. (706) 965-2065. www.ringgoldacoustic.com

Christy & Josh 8 p.m. Palms Patio at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd. #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Reched 8 p.m. Southside Bistro & Saloon, 1301 Chestnut St. (423) 757-4730. www.southsidesaloonandbistro.com Marty Adams 9 p.m. The Office (inside Days Inn), 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191.

Find them on Facebook.

The Bohannons 9 p.m. Lindsay Street Hall, 901 Lindsay St. (423) 755-9111. www.lindsaystreethall.com Brian Collins Band 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. www.myspace.com/jimstriker DJ and Dancing 9 p.m. Spectators, 8021 East Brainerd Rd. (423) 648-6679.

DJ and Dancing 9 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055.

WTM Band 9 p.m. Sugar’s Ribs, 507 Broad St. (423) 508-8956. www.sugarsribs.com.

Daikaiju, Ampline, Unspoken Triumph 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 2 31 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia Endelouz 10 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Amber Fults 10 p.m. Tremont Tavern, 1203 Hixson Pk. (423) 266-1996. www.tremonttavern.com

NewFound Road

“A vivid reminder of the power inherent in undiluted, stripped-down bluegrass.” $10 advance/ $12 door 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Avenue (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org Davey Smith Band 10 p.m. Rhythm and Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com Karaoke & Dancing 10 p.m. Chattanooga Billiards Club East, 110 Jordan Dr. (423) 499-3883. www.cbcburns.com Joe The Show 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com

Saturday

Steve Brehm & Kirk Fabish 12:30 p.m. Chattanooga River Market, Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0698. www.tnaqua.com Johnny Cash Tribute Band 5 p.m. Chattanooga Choo Choo Victorian Lounge, 1400 Market St. (423) 266-5000. www.choochoo.com/localevents Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com

MUSIC

SATURDAY

M. Ward

“Armed with a guitar, harmonica, sparse percussion and a tin-pan alley-esque piano.” $23 advance/ $25 door 8 p.m.

Track 29, Chattanooga Choo Choo (423) 521-2929. www.track29.co Sovereign Strength, With Life In Mind, Delusions, Every Word a Prophecy, Amongst the Giant, A Ghost Among Men 7 p.m. The Warehouse, 412 Market St. www.warehousevenue.com M. Ward, Dawes 8 p.m. Track 29, 1400 Market St. (423) 266-4323. www.track29.co.

Hargerty and DeYoung 8 p.m. Southside Saloon and Bistro, 1301 Chestnut St. (423) 757-4730. www.southsidesaloonandbistro.com Dana Cooper 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse, Christ Unity Church, 105 McBrien Rd. (423) 892-4960. www.christunity.org Dance for Hope: Tornado Recovery 8 p.m. Barking Legs Theatre, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org Casey Adams Band 8 p.m. Acoustic Café, 61 RBC Dr., Ringgold, Ga. (706) 965-2065. www.ringgoldacoustic.com Arlo Gilliam 8 p.m. Palms Patio at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd. #202. (423) 499-5055.

SUNDAY

Towe Jam 8 p.m. Palms Patio at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd. #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Brian Collins Band 9 p.m. Raw, 409 Market St. (423) 756-1919. www.myspace.com/jimstriker David James 9 p.m. The Office (inside Days Inn), 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191.

Find them on Facebook.

DJ and Dancing 9 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Dana Cooper 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse , Christ Unity Church, 105 Mcbrien Rd. (423) 892-4960. www.christunity.org WTM Band 9 p.m. Sugar’s Ribs, 507 Broad St. (423) 508-8956. www.sugarsribs.com The Vivs, Noscone Prophits, Dirty Works, The Fingers 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers 10 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100.

(423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Nathan Farrow 10 p.m. T-Bones Cafe, 1419 Chestnut St. (423) 266-4240. www.tboneschattanooga.com The Breakfast Club 10 p.m. Rhythm and Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com

Sunday

Irish Session Music 3 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com Free Range Mystics 3 p.m. Pasha Coffee and Tea, 3914 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 475-5482. www.pashacoffeehouse.com Foghorn Trio 7:30 p.m. Barking Legs Theatre, 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org Karaoke with DJ Salt 9:30 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com Bobby Joe Ebola & The Children MacNuggits 10 p.m. Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café, 501 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 752-5224.

Monday

Old Tyme Players 7 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100.

(423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Big Band Night 8 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Karaoke with DJ Salt 9:30 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Rd. (423) 499-9878. www.budssportsbar.com

Tuesday

Two Man Gentleman Band 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd. (423) 266-1400. www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia

Bobby Joe Ebola & The Children MacNuggits

“Often funny, sometimes scary.” Sounds perfect. $10 10 pm Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café, 501 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 752-5224.

Wednesday

Roger Alan Wade 6 p.m. Sugar’s Ribs, 507 Broad St. (423) 508-8956. www.sugarsribs.com Jimmy Harris 6:30 p.m. The Coconut Room at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Ben Friberg Trio 7 p.m. Market Street Tavern, 850 Market St., #100. (423) 634-0260. www.marketstreettavern.com Fried Chicken Trio 8 p.m. The Lounge at The Palms at Hamilton, 6925 Shallowford Rd., #202. (423) 499-5055. www.thepalmsathamilton.com Joel T. Hamilton 9 p.m. The Honest Pint, 35 Patten Pkwy. (423) 468-4192. www.thehonestpint.com.

Jenntastic Wednesdays 9 p.m. Holiday Bowl, 5518 Brainerd Rd. (423) 899-2695. www.holidaybowlbrainerd.com Jordan Hallquist & The Outfit with The Long Gone Darlings 9 p.m. Rhythm and Brews, 221 Market St. www.rhythm-brews.com. www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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Feature

MUSIC

MUSIC

Two Gentlemen, Seven Inches Two Gentlemen, Seven Inches

D

o you revel in the unexpected pleasures that life sometimes, if you’re lucky, accords you? The powerhouse performance duo known as The Two Man Gentlemen Band bestowed some of that luck upon The Pulse this week with a copy of their new 7-inch (that’s a 45rpm vinyl record for you old folks) release.

Don’t miss their talents at JJ’s this week, friends. The musicianship and expertise in the music of the 1920s and ’30s, infused with elements of jazz and modern inter-

pretations, make for one impressive performance.

If you have never seen them, or even heard of them, there is no way you can walk away from this show without a smile on your face. We asked Two Man

members Andy Bean and Fuller Condon to give us a behind the scenes tour of this miraculous piece of vinyl ...

Two Man Gentlemen Band 10 p.m. Tuesday, September 27 JJ’s Bohemia, 231 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 266-1400 www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia

General descriptives:

Hey, kids! Tired of the convenience and portability of digital music? Get yourself a new TMGB 7” record! Only two songs! And you have to flip the thing over between ‘em! More expensive than mp3s, too! Heck yeah!

Side A:

Prescription Drugs! (We’re Having a Party!)

A cheerful retro romp about a decidedly modern topic. Follow The Gents’ advice, kids! Overdosing on acne medication neither clears your face up faster nor makes anybody feel any good.

Side B:

Tikka Masala A heaping scoop of spicy two man music?

Yes, please! The Gentlemen demonstrate their international appeal with a musical tribute to South Asian cuisine.

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

Two men! One really old microphone! A big clunky tape machine and 45 minutes in the recording studio.That’s how you make a record!

Wanna be a part of two man music history? Join the Hall & Oates fan club! Or get yourself a copy of the new, limited edition Two Man Gentlemen Band 7”. It’s The Gents’ first time on vinyl.

www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

OPINION

Shades Of Green

Celebrating a Life and the Earth in North Chatt

By Sandra Kurtz, Special to The Pulse

A

ruby-throated hummingbird darted about dipping its tongue into the various beckoning blooms in the garden.

The tiny 3-gram, 3.5-inch jewel paid no attention to the crowd assembling a short distance away. He maneuvered around the yellow swallowtail butterfly also gathering nectar and avoided the bee as he deftly hovered and dipped.

An occasional breeze was not enough to take away the humidity and stifling heat, but nearby trees offered shade and respite. Lemonade, cookies and hand fans soothed the human visitors as they stood at the end of Warren Street in North Chattanooga. Family and friends had gathered to dedicate the Barbara R. McNew Hummingbird Garden.

Sadly, Barbara died of ALS, also called Lou “This Vest Pocket Gehrig’s disease, in 2010.

Park is part of All who knew her attested to her love of nature, her the nonprofit gentle compassion for organization’s others, and her positive goal to bring small spirit. She was the first psychotherapist green spaces into female licensed in Tennessee. She neighborhoods.” was among the founders of the Art of Living Folk School (now Urban Century Institute) where people were encouraged to become connected to the Earth in sustainable ways. Thus, it is fitting that her hummingbird garden sits at the edge of a wooded ravine owned by Urban Century Institute (UCI) and offered for public benefit.

This Vest Pocket Park is part of the nonprofit organization’s goal to bring small green spaces into neighborhoods. These green spots serve as places of aesthetic repose and a balm for restless souls.

It is the policy of Urban Century Institute to promote and demonstrate sustainability by seamlessly interweaving

environment, economics, and equity into all projects.

Thus, the Vest Pocket Park with its hummingbird garden is not just a pretty place for all people to enjoy—though it certainly is that. It serves as wildlife habitat.

It increases property values for nearby homes. It also provides some free, natural environmental services: The ravine is natural water drainage. Trees and plants suck up and moderate the movement of water into the air and soil as part of the water cycle. It’s a stormwater management tool especially valuable during extreme storms such as those recently experienced. Left to development, this neighborhood ravine would be filled in and laden with manmade pipes and pumps ever in need of maintenance and repair at our expense.

There are other free natural services too: Joining with all trees working in the city, the park improves air quality and reduces air pollution. Shading counteracts the heatisland effect from asphalt, concrete, and buildings in urban settings. A bonus in summer for homes and businesses is the reduction of costs for extra air conditioning. These same plants sequester carbon, thereby holding on to some of the carbon dioxide emissions that would contribute to global warming. In Chattanooga, Urban Forestry, the Take Root program, and CreateHere’s Citizen Forester program all work to increase tree canopy for this very reason. The work fulfills some recommendations in the city’s current Climate Action Plan and goals of the Chattanooga Office

of Sustainability.

During the dedication this hot August day, the hummingbird continued his nectar search, oblivious to all these Vest Pocket Park benefits and to Barbara McNew’s contributions and legacy. Flapping its wings at about 53 times per second, this mighty mite is the only bird that can fly backwards during its required refueling visits (about every 15 minutes of daylight). Soon hummingbirds will fly forward for 20 hours nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico to Mexico and Central America. They begin to return in February. However, a visit to a multi-purpose Vest Pocket Park will provide you opportunities for wonders to see and nature’s services to contemplate year round.

Sandra Kurtz is an environmental education consultant, a former classroom teacher and a founder of Tennessee Environmental Education Association. Presently she is executive co-director with the Urban Century Institute, a local nonprofit organization promoting sustainability and sustainable thinking.

www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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SCREEN

Time to Flaunt Your Independents

“This program has been reaching out to Chattanooga film fans for more than 40 years.”

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By John DeVore, Pulse Film Critic

I

t’s no secret that Chattanooga doesn’t always have access to critically acclaimed films with serious Oscar potential. At least, not until the films have generated a significant amount of buzz or made a large sum of money.

Audiences here are in something of a dead zone. Chattanooga is situated between three major cities, cities that are able to reach wider audiences and pull in greater revenue for high-quality films. As a result, we get all the Michael Bay and Nicolas Cage movies we can handle, but films by Gus Van Sant or Darren Aronofsky may reach our theaters months after release—if at all.

Last year, the incredible Black Swan opened in Atlanta six to eight weeks before landing here. Of course, it opened in New York and Los Angeles two months before Atlanta. This puts Chattanooga movie buffs at a disadvantage when it comes to seeing the films that appeal to us most. My friend Bob is a diehard film connoisseur, one who as seen more movies that anyone else I know. The relative dryness of the local film market has forced him underground, into the dark, unethical, cavernous world of piracy.

“Often, I’ll see a movie long before it ever comes to Chattanooga, just because it’s the most cost-effective way to see the film,” says Bob. “But I would much rather

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

see a movie in the theater. The lights, the sounds, and the experience: everything about seeing a movie in a theater is just better. Not being able to pause or rewind pulls you into a movie in ways that can’t be reproduced at home.”

Bob certainly isn’t alone; Chattanooga now boasts the fastest Internet speeds in the country, which makes downloading entire movies quick and simple. This doesn’t necessarily mean that movie pirates are cheap. Certainly, going to the movies is much more expensive than it has been in the past, but studies have shown that audiences are usually willing to pay the prices, even in a recession.

There is something else at work. Studios are in a constant battle to keep control of their intellectual property, clinging to an outdated business model of DVD sales and rentals. The move towards streaming video is clear to everyone except Hollywood. However, movie aficionados will tell you that seeing a film in a dark theatre, with a full-size screen and an audience, is always preferable to a laptop. By limiting the availability of titles to smaller markets, studios are forcing consumers to resort to more viable, although illegal, methods of seeing the art they so strongly crave.

All is not lost however; The Chattanooga Arts and Education Council are again hosting their annual Fall Independent Film Series, which opened September 16 with the critically acclaimed Sarah’s Key. This program has been reaching out to Chattanooga film fans for more than 40 years, bridging the gap between independent film and our choice-starved citizenry. Program Director Laurel Eldridge, along with an all-volunteer committee, has been working tirelessly to bring quality films to Chattanooga.

“I am always amazed at the number of people who tell me that they drive two hours to see a movie, whether it’s to Atlanta, Nashville or Knoxville,” she says. The films aren’t just for the discerning enthusiast, however. Eldridge wants these films to “bring you out of your comfort zone,” and get the average filmgoer to “see a subtitled film or a documentary in the theater and discuss it with other community members.”

The AEC works with Carmike Cinemas to deliver these films in an increasingly competitive market.

“One of the growing challenges of this series is that the market is becoming more saturated with theaters book-

ing independent films, but there are only so many films to go around,” says Eldridge. “We strive to bring as many current and critically acclaimed movies as possible, and although we can’t get every film on our list every time, the Film Series continues to fill a void and provide Chattanooga with more diverse options than a typical city of our size.” For $15, filmgoers can get the AEC Film Club Card, available online, which provides matinee prices for all evening shows at the Majestic 12 and discounts at restaurants like Bluewater Grille and 212 Market. The card even entitles filmgoers to discounts at the CSO. This year’s schedule offers a diverse group of films from around the world. Kicking off is Sarah’s Key, the French film based on the novel by Tatina de Rosnay, a drama that follows an American journalist (Kristen Scott Thomas) on the brink of life-changing decisions regarding her marriage and unborn child, while investigating the Vel’d’Hiv Roundup in 1942. It’s a film about self-discovery and the horrors of the past that inform the present.

Of particular interest to me is the film The Guard, offered on October 7. An Irish comedy about a useless cop with a penchant for prostitutes and mild racism, the film has been well reviewed since its release. The Guard stars Brenden Gleeson, known to Harry Potter fans as MadEye Moody, and Don Cheadle, known to everyone as being awesome. I was convinced that I would have to wait until DVD to see this one, which meant watching in my living room while trying to keep a 2 year old entertained.

There are six films scheduled for the series, with more on the way. Each represents some of the best work independent filmmakers have to offer. From a documentary about a real life horse whisperer to a teen romance about a terminally ill young girl and a boy who sees ghosts, there should be plenty for the avid film fan.

I asked Bob if his piracy appetite might curb some if AEC programs could bring more choice to Chattanooga.

“It definitely would change the types of things I download,” Bob says. “I don’t mind paying for a good movie. I might just start downloading the movies I know are going to be terrible.”

That’s a win in my mind.

For more information, visit: www.ArtsEdCouncil.org

www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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ENTERTAINMENT

Free Will Astrology

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your theme for the week comes from travel writer Stephen Graham in his book The Gentle Art of Tramping: “As you sit on the hillside, or lie prone under the trees of the forest, or sprawl wet-legged on the shingly beach of a mountain stream, the great door, that does not look like a door, opens.” I can’t wait to see the expression on your face when a portal like that appears for you sometime in the near future, Libra. I expect your mood will be a mix of surprise, humility, vindication, joy, and a pleasant kind of shock. By the way, you won’t necessarily have to be out in nature in order to become aware of the opening door. But it will probably be crucial for you to simulate the state that nature evokes in you. That’s why I suggest you rev up your aptitude for innocence and make sure your sense of wonder is turned on full blast.

investigation into the heights and depths of your passion… to experiment with new guidelines for your instinctual nature…to make yourself extra receptive to the spiritual teachings available through erotic communion.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): More than a 100 years ago, a team of British adventurers led by Ernest Shackleton trekked across Antarctica, attempting to reach the South Pole. They ran out of supplies and had to turn back before reaching their goal. In 2006, modern-day explorers discovered a cache of stuff Shackleton had been forced to leave behind, stashed in the ice. It included two cases of whiskey. Some of the century-old liquor found its way back to England, where it was quaffed by a few daring souls eager for an exotic taste. I suspect you may soon stumble upon a metaphorically similar curiosity, Scorpio: something like old spirits preserved in ice. My advice: Try a small sample and wait a while to see what effect it has before imbibing the whole thing.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A guy on Reddit.com posted a photo that made me think of you. He had been out walking in the wilds of Ontario, and found a single ripe peach growing on a scraggly, skinny tree in the middle of an abandoned quarry. There were no other peach trees in sight, let alone peaches. I suspect that when you find beauty and sustenance in the coming days, Taurus, they will be in similar situations: unexpected and unlikely. That doesn’t mean they’ll be any less sweet. (See the peach: http://bit. ly/lonelypeach.)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Punk musician Wesley Willis was fond of greeting friends and audience members alike with a headbutt. So prolific was he in employing this ritual that he developed a permanent callus on his forehead. Now would be an excellent time for you to make this tradition your own, Sagittarius. Just think of all the affection you’ll generate and all the great conversations you’ll stimulate by ramming people! JUST KIDDING! I was exaggerating a bit. It’s true that now is an excellent time to ramp up your friendliness and expand your social reach.

But you probably shouldn’t engage in full-tilt headbutting unless you’re extroverted, gregarious, and so extravagantly charming you can get away with it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In Japan you can buy Vaam, a sports energy drink that contains hornet saliva. It acquired a legendary reputation after Japanese marathon runner Naoko Takahashi said she used it to propel herself to a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics. Vaam’s creator, biochemist Takashi Abe, claims there is scientific evidence that it works as well for humans as it does for wasps, which fly as much as 70 miles a day. According to my reading of the astrological omens, the cosmos will be infusing you with a metaphorical version of hornet saliva in the coming weeks, Capricorn. You’ll have the power to go further and be stronger for longer periods of time.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I gathered together a panel of renegade astrologers to investigate your imminent future. By a unanimous vote, they designated you, out of all the signs of the zodiac, as the one “Most Likely to Exceed the Boring Limitations of Good Taste,” as well as “Best Candidate to Slap the Conventional Wisdom Upside the Head.” That sounds fun. I hope you make good use of the freedom that those roles entail. By the way, the general consensus also suggested that you are primed to find valuable stuff in out-of-the-way borderlands or in off-limits haunts where no one else even wants to look.

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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You’re on course for a warm, wet, soft collision with the enigmas of the libido. I urge you to give yourself fully to the exploration, even if it stirs up feelings you have no names for. In my opinion, the best way to use your intelligence right now is to undertake a rigorous

The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “I have a simple philosophy,” said Alice Roosevelt Longworth, a self-described hedonist who lived till the age of 96. “Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. Scratch where it itches.” That’s not an approach I recommend you pursue all the time, Aries, but I think it could be both wise and fun for you to do so in the coming weeks. Given the upcoming astrological omens, you have a mandate to find out where the most interesting action is, and dive in with the intent to generate even more action.

The catalysts need another catalyst like you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If you’ve ever been to a flavor-tripping party, you’ve eaten “miracle fruit”—berries with the scientific name Synsepalum dulcificum. They coat your tongue with a substance that makes all subsequent foods taste sweet. The effect lasts no more than an hour, but while it does, lemons, radishes, and pickles may as well be desserts. Be alert for a metaphorical version of the miracle fruit, Gemini. There’s an influence coming your way that could temporarily make everything else seem extra delectable. As long as you’re aware of what’s happening, it will be a quirky blessing.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Born in Austria, Susanne Wenger became a high priestess of the Yoruba religion in Nigeria. When she died in 2009 at the age of 93, she had devoted the last 50-plus years of her life to protecting and beautifying a sacred forest in the Osogbo area. It’s hard for most of us to imagine loving a place as much as she did, but that’s what I’m encouraging you to do. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you will accrue unforeseen benefits by becoming more deeply connected to a special patch of earth. To do so will awaken a dormant part of your soul, for one thing. It could also advance one of your lifelong quests, which is to feel ever-more at home in the world.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Personally I’m always ready to learn,” said Winston Churchill, “although I do not always like being taught.” You may soon find yourself sharing that paradoxical state of mind, Leo. It’s time for you to receive the new teachings you have been unconsciously preparing yourself to absorb. But at least in the early stages, these useful lessons may get on your nerves or make you squirm.

Stick with them. Keep the faith. Sooner or later, your crash course will become enjoyable.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Our job is to become more and more of what we are,” says poet Marvin Bell. “The growth of a poet seems to be related to his or her becoming less and less embarrassed about more and more.” Whether or not you’re a poet, Virgo, I would like to apply this gauge to your own growth. The way I see it, your power to claim your birthright and fulfill your destiny will ultimately hinge to a significant degree on your ability to shed all residual shame about your true nature. And guess what: There has never been a better time to work on that noble project than right now.

ENTERTAINMENT

Jonesin' Crossword — "Juggler's Blues" Across 1 Dramatic way to end a statement?

8 Kelly of Destiny’s Child 15 Sign stating you can’t go back immediately 16 Gonzaga University locale 17 Changed suddenly 18 They play a big part in 2011’s “Contagion” 19 “___ the night before Christmas...”

20 Football play 21 Like some musical wonders 24 Overtook with a crowd of people 28 Rented out again 29 Hosp. staffers 32 Guy 33 Drops like balls in a bad juggling act?

36 Part of a cereal box 37 Owned property 38 “McHale’s Navy” backdrop 39 Made grateful for 42 Henry VIII’s house

45 Summer hrs., in D.C. 46 TV doctor with a limp 50 Concluding remarks to a poem 51 Cutesy-___ 52 Heart attachment 53 “___ has fleas” 54 Computer programming abbr. (FOE anagram) 55 “___, with Love” (Sidney Poitier movie) 56 “Un momento, ___ favor” 57 Swashbuckling and saving the day, for instance 60 Coffee dispenser 61 Ring decision 62 Nickname of ESPN8, in the 2004 movie “Dodgeball” 63 Tell it like it isn’t 64 Part of a school yr.

65 “Play this note with a sudden accent,” in sheet music abbr.

66 “A rat!” noise 67 Furthermore

Down 1 Young-___ (little tykes) 2 Traditional Japanese drama 3 On the ___ vive 4 Uninformed, like a bad juggler?

5 Bests by deceit 6 Apply medicine to 7 Comes to a halt 8 Invitation request 9 Poe’s drug of choice 10 Completely gone, like a buzz 11 Warning from a bad juggler?

12 Small batteries 13 Dir. opposite SSW 14 Word before Moines or Plaines 21 “Carmina Burana” composer Carl 22 “A Face in the Crowd” actress Patricia 23 She sang with Louie 25 Erupt 26 Race in “The Time Machine” 27 Modern variety of Persian spoken in

Afghanistan 29 She played a corrupt cop in “Pineapple Express” 30 Somewhere between abysmal and fair, for a bad juggler?

31 It’s flat, frozen, and sometimes compared to winter roads 34 “øQue ___?” (“What’s up?” in Mexico) 35 Airport readerboard abbr.

40 Strong headlights, slangily 41 “No sweat” 42 Lures 43 Let all the, all the oxen free?

44 Movie disc format that’s readable, but not erasable 47 “The Little Mermaid” villain 48 Blend with a spoon, maybe 49 Deserved 58 Radio band, for short (HEF anagram) 59 Guevara’s nickname

Jonesin' Crossword created By Matt Jones. © 2011 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 #0538

www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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OPINION

Life In The ‘Noog

Pardon Me, Boys, Is That Track 29.0?

W

ell, if the flood of Facebook posts and chatter around town didn’t clue you in on the ‘noog’s new music venue, surely the news media did. Seems the grand opening Track 29 owners had in mind was much different from the grand entrance it made to our party. But hey—at least everyone knows it’s arrived.

Their first show, Jamey Johnson, led to a brawl between several police and one big old son-of-a-bitch who tried like hell to take on all of them at once. From what I heard, he would have done it, too, if it hadn’t been for that fifth or sixth tazing. However colorful, that night paled in comparison to the venue’s first sold-out show, Corey Smith, which ended up a public-relations disaster.

Now, Corey Smith and his music are about as foreign to me as a deep-fried cream puff, but apparently he’s popular enough to provide Track 29 with nearly 1,500 fans in its opening week and that is truly saying something (especially for this town). But it seems local police aren’t very fond of him, not just because of his song “F*** The Po-Po,” but because of what happened to one of their own the last time Smith played that song here in the ‘noog.

Seems during a fateful show at another club here in town, a beer was poured over a balcony and onto a police officer. Not a good move. So not so that police on hand for his next performance five long years later purportedly “helped” Track 29 staff decide it was time to pull the plug when Corey launched into that tune one more time (all of this according to Corey’s musical recount of it a few days later).

The fallout from this decision, no matter whose it was, in my opinion not only presented the potential for a riot for which the proud men in blue were in no

way prepared, but also exhibited an authoritative censorship that placed both Corey Smith and Track 29 owners in awkward, embarrassing situations.

The next day, hand-tied Track 29 owners seemed to sit still as a flood of negative reviews consumed their Facebook page—the very source of promotion that helped sell out the show in the first place. Their single response to the event was so clouded in ambiguity that either they realized they’d made a huge mistake or they wanted to keep the peace with the peacemakers, so to speak. Knowing them personally, I felt for those guys. Regardless of how it came to be, I’m sure it was nowhere they wanted to be.

As I read a few of the jeers, it made me a little mad.

But I knew that a blanket statement of “I’ll never go there again” is a promise that I don’t think true music lovers can keep. Despite any rookie mistakes made thus far, and I’ll admit there have been a few; Track 29 is a long, long overdue blessing to this town’s musical curse.

Every other town our size in the Southeast not only has one or two “Track 29s”, but at least one that is now legendary. Athens has the 40 Watt, Nashville the Exit/ In, Knoxville the Valrium, Asheville the Orange Peel and Atlanta has too many to mention. But you know what? None of them come close to the state-of-the-art facilities of Track 29.

The room itself is scalable for various crowd sizes to enhance the venue experience, the sound and lighting

Chuck Crowder

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The Pulse | Volume 8, Issue 38 | September 22, 2011 | www.chattanoogapulse.com

systems are the latest and greatest technology available and the dressing rooms and VIP areas are well planned and exceptionally appointed. They even have an overly active social media presence so there’s no guessing who’s playing when. And, initial ticket sales attest to the quality and diversity of talent they’ve booked so far.

Like anything however, Track 29 isn’t perfect.

Ticketing fulfillment and entrance logistics need to be honed a little. There needs to be at least one more bar or temporary drink station for bigger shows. And, the fact that they’ll only serve one drink per person at a time during a 21-and-over show is simply ridiculous.

But I feel certain that I’m not the only person who’s voiced these concerns and that the owners are “Despite any mulling over potential rookie mistakes improvements all the way around. made thus far, In the meantime: and I’ll admit Come on, people, give there have been the guys a break. Despite any shortcomings that a few; Track 29 have occurred so far, you is a long, long gotta admit the place is first class—and pretty overdue blessing damn cool. Every new to this town’s business goes through musical curse.” growing pains and, even with as much planning and research as these guys put in, Track 29 is not exempt.

Just be glad there are people here with the balls to give it a go so we don’t have to go out of town just to see a decent show.

Chuck Crowder is a local writer and general man about town. His opinions are just that. Everything expressed is loosely based on fact, and crap he hears people talking about. Take what you just read with a grain of salt, but pepper it in your thoughts.

www.chattanoogapulse.com | September 22, 2011 | Volume 8, Issue 38 | The Pulse

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