The Quick BUZZ
Monday, June 30, 2003
The Rumor Mill
The rumor mill was churning pretty hard at the PM5K show Friday night at Rafters. Here is what was going around like wildfire at the show.
two Possible shows coming to the area --
1.
MOTORHEAD
Might come to Rafters
Here is what I know - According to the owner of Rafters (whom I talked to personally), it is down to 2 locations - Rafters and one other venue somewhere else. It all depends on money, the crowd they can bring, etc... So - maybe
and
2.
Disturbed
Here is what I know - Not Much -- Heard this rumor flying around Rafters and saw it again on Ansley's web page (in the forum section).
Let's keep our fingers crossed collectively....
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Buzz A'plenty about Shinedown
According to Mike Steele from WRZK morning show, Shinedown could possibly steal the show Friday night at Downtown Rafters. They are scheduled in the number 2 slot - right before the main show - Powerman 5000. I have visited the web sites for Shinedown and Reach 454. They have music samples they have on their web sites and both sound great! It will be a tremendous show. One not to be missed!
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Thunderstorm Threat moves Powerman 5000 to Downtown Rafters
Due to Thunderstorm Predictions - Powerman 5000, Shinedown, and Reach 454 will be playing at DOWNTOWN RAFTERS -- Everything else remains the same.
Monday, June 23, 2003
"Get prepared for Powerman 5000"
Feature article in music section over at The Loafer
The Sophisticated Otter and Ansley Roberts Promotions and 95.9 K-Rock welcomes Powerman 5000 The Friday, June 27 as the Budweiser “True Music” Summer Concert Series continues.
Tickets are only $15 in advance, and $18 day of show. The show starts at 8 p.m., and fans must be at least 18 years old to attend.
Powerman 5000 is: Spider One, vocals; M.33, guitar; Adam 12, guitar; Siggy Siursen, bass; and Adrian Ost, drums.
“Asking the listener to ‘transform’ is sort of like a dare, a challenge,” says Powerman 5000 frontman Spider One of the title of the band’s new album. “It’s saying, ‘Change. Be something you’re not. Defy expectations.”’
“Transform” is the fourth album for Dreamworks Records from the platinum Los Angeles-based quintet. Its arrival finds Spider characteristically reflective, in this case about mass culture and its impact on him and his audience.
“What I’ve been noticing lately,” he continues, “is how the culture dictates to people, especially to kids. It tells them who they are, or worse, who they should be. But it’s a bullshit, manufactured version of who they are, created by advertisements you know, ‘Become a soda commercial.’ It’s just ridiculous.”
The band first took shape in Boston in the early ’90s, after Spider met drummer Al3 and discovered they shared a passion for hardcore of both the punk and hip-hop varieties. PM5K’s first full-length album, 1995’s independently released “The Blood Splat Rating System,” made a big impression in Beantown and was named both Best Metal Album and Best Rap Album in a local readers poll.
In 1997 Spider, Al3, guitarist Adam 12 and bassist Dorian 27 moved to Los Angeles after signing with DreamWorks Records (they were recruited for the label by A&R exec Ron Handler). That year also saw the release of “Mega!! Kung Fu Radio,” which presented new songs along with completely remixed versions of the “Blood Splat” material.
Two years later, PM5K added guitarist Mike Tempesta aka M.33 and unleashed their third album, the sci-fi-influenced “Tonight The Stars Revolt!” Thanks to driving, electro-edged tracks like the Top 20 rock hit “When Worlds Collide” and Powerman’s relentless touring schedule, the album sold more than a million copies. Follow-up “Anyone For Doomsday?” was recorded in 2001 and prepared for release, but at the last minute, Spider went with his gut and changed his mind. From a creative standpoint, the record didn’t feel ready.
“We were literally two weeks in front of this thing hitting the shelves when we decided to pull it,” he attests. “We had ads, we had a tour booked, we had posters and whatever all done and ready to go.”
At first, the band wasn’t sure how to proceed. But within that confusion was the potential for transformation. “One thing I said to everybody was, ‘Throw the rules out,”’ Spider explains. “‘Forget what you think this band should be; forget what you think our fans expect. Just follow your instincts.”’
Recalling what came next, he adds with a laugh: “Shortly after I made that statement, two original members Al and Dorian quit. I don’t know if the freedom to do whatever scared them or what, but they decided to bail. And that made the stakes even higher.”
But it also had a liberating effect, which can be heard throughout “Transform.” The album manages to be both harder and more tuneful than its predecessors, stepping away from the techno-intenso soundscapes of Tonight The Stars Revolt! and toward a more traditional rock approach. “We ended up taking a step back to go forward,” Spider says. “We stripped away a lot of the artificial nature of the band that we’re known for.”
And they brought on a new rhythm section. Finding drummer Adrian Ost was easy. He was recommended by Edsel Dope, of the band Dope, whom Spider befriended during the Tonight The Stars Revolt! tour. “I knew instantly that Adrian was the guy,” Spider recalls. “I think we auditioned two or three other guys, just to see, but finding him was not difficult.”
Locating the right bassist wasn’t so easy. “A lot of people who play bass approach it as if they just didn’t feel like learning guitar,” Spider allows. “But Dorian was really good, an accomplished bass player. We needed someone who could play as well or better than him.” They wound up auditioning 40 bassists before they found Siggy Siursen.
Powerman 5000 - TONIGHT - LATE LATE SHOW with Craig Kilborn
From Mike Steel's Morning Show on WRZK
Powerman 5000 will appear tonight on the Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn - tune in for a preview of what will be live here Friday night!
Friday, June 20, 2003
Saliva and Co
I posted this over at Ansley Roberts and tried to get it into the comments section, but it was too long (imagine that!) so I decided just to make it a post of its own...First I tried the main TEAM ROCK page - but Netscape Browers were having trouble with positioning it right for some reason -- so I will try here...
I arrived at the Otter around 3:45 (so I could eat and get a decent parking place). Once in, I saw Ansley hard at work. If you saw Ansley that night, you know he was working his @ss off to get the show off without a hitch. He had to suffer through one of his runners getting sick and having to go to the hospital. I was more than happy to do a small favor to Ansley and run an errand for Saliva's manager (getting an Ethernet female in/female out connector at Radio Shack). I figured it was the least I could do since Ansley had done so much already. Even with contracted people not showing up (Fence contractors), sickness, and rain - Ansley did a tremendous job for the Rock Fans of East Tennessee. Here is the thing though; He is only beginning to revitalize the Rock Scene in Johnson City. I agree with what Ansley said in the interview from the Loafer in which he mentioned his memories of big crowds at Freedom Hall - I was right there with him (although we just recently met) -- I will take it a step further by saying that I remember the huge crowds at Richard A's for local and regional Rock Bands EVERY weekend - then POOF, gone. Now even those are returning to full strength. So I will extend my extreme appreciation to Steve and Co. over at DAD's CDs for also booking great acts at the Otter. I for one am tremendously grateful for Ansley's efforts and am glad I do our small part over at TEAM ROCK to support the local and regional rock scene.
I missed Sober Otis play - I was trying to take care of a bar tab and didn't know they had started. MANMADEGOD kicked @ss and I will be on the look out for them to hopefully return. I try not to buy CDs from stores anymore and get them directly from the bands when I see them. I think it works out better for them and for me (as I get them to sign it!).
The Saliva show was better than I remembered when I saw them at Ziggy's in Winston Salem back in January (and that was an awesome show!). The rain cleared off in time for the main act (and actually was nice for MANMADEGOD's show with their inspired "wet t-shirt" contest).
I traveled down to Knoxville Thursday to see the shows again and found out that MANMADEGOD had trouble with their van and was stranded in JC! But here was the thing - When the lady at Blue Cat's was telling me this, she said "MANMADEGOD didn't show (with an added touch of annoyance) -- they are stranded with van trouble in -- (more annoyance) Johnson City (roll of the eyes)...” I felt like telling her I was from there and find out what she meant, but I just let it go. The show was sold out there and the line was pretty long. I really like Blue Cats but find it annoying that she had that attitude of - and I am reading between the lines - if they hadn't played there then we wouldn't be having this problem tonight. Well, she will just have to get used to it - We are back! Largely due to Ansley and everyone else who is supporting the local music scene.
Thank you to all!!
Xyon
Goatwhore Show at Ground Zero Cancelled - Replacement Line Up Announced
From Ground Zero's Web Page:
JUNE 20th at GROUND ZERO in Spartanburg SC
THE GOATWHORE SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED! In it's place we have VLAD, LUST OF DECAY, AND MORTUFAIRY
"Endo on tap at Sophisticated Otter"
Feature article over at The Loafer
“Endo” is a prefix that means “within/inside.” In the case of Endo, the ferociously searing band from Miami, Florida, that says it all. Asked to describe the essence and driving force behind their music, singer Gil Bitton instantly sums it up: “A nuclear blast, an explosion of emotion. Total possession.”
On the verge of releasing “Songs for the Restless”, a Columbia Records album due July 12, and on joining the highly popular and acclaimed Ozzfest, Endo has dropped in the Tri-Cities to see exactly what the buzz is about the area. Local promoters and club owners have been working hard to bring in a steady stream of nationals to put Johnson City on the map in the music industry.
The first effects of their efforts come this week, with a Saliva show in the Sophisticated Otter on Wednesday, followed up by Endo at the same venue Friday.
Such a week of heavy nationals has possibly never been seen before in Johnson City. And not often has a band come into town with the resume Endo possesses. Having had tracks on the soundtracks of “Daredevil” and “Dracula 2000,” opening up for notorious acts such as the Foo Fighters, Nothingface, Stereomud, Static X, and Megadeath (not to mention a song they had on a rock/rap compilation album Loud Rocks with Xzibit), Endo is on the verge of something huge. And joining the Ozzfest tour with the push from Columbia Records and The William Morris Agency, one of the biggest booking agents in America, can only help.
Endo is on a mission, pure and simple. That mission is the power of the raw, personal emotion they get (and give) with their music. This is what they’re bringing to Johnson City’s old Brewery.
Coming with them is Spitfire Record’s Dog Fashion Disco. Dog Fashion Disco really doesn’t fit into genre description that someone came up with. They aren’t Nu-Metal or hard-core, not even close to Garage Rock. They are band whose main cause is to stir up some new ideas in the stale state of metal today. They have toured with such bands as Nothingface, MushroomHead, Mindless Self Indulgence and System of a Down. They bring a quirky, non-traditional take on metal and seem top be pushing the limits in every possible direction at once.
Opening the show will be Running With Scissors. Blacksburg-based Running With Scissors first performed in the Tri Cities in April, but their unique modern rock sound is rapidly winning over area fans. Creating a hyper-kinetic mix of jazz, reggae, funk, and hard rock that draws comparisons from Tool to Incubus, Running With Scissors critically acclaimed sound has won over fans from our nation’s capital to the heart of the Virginia highlands, and the buzz around the band is steadily growing.
Closing it all will be Johnson City’s own Blind Sight. Blind Sight formed just over a year ago and they’ve spent their time writing songs, playing shows, and funneling their ideas into creating a comprehensive sound. There goal started out in the attempt to create something real and continues down the same path. Along the way, the members of Blind Sight have had a blast meeting lots of extremely cool people and bands. They have had their chance to perform with many local favorites and relish this chance to play with such a line-up. Finishing up their debut release has consumed most of their time recently, but has given them a chance to refocus on their oh-so simple, yet elusive objective: create something real.
All four bands will be playing the Sophisticated Otter Friday, June 20. With four bands playing, the show will start early, at 9 p.m. and last late. There is only a $5 cover charge at the door, $7 if you are under 21.
The bands can be checked out at their web sites with mp3’s and other free downloads at www.runningwithscissorsmusic.com, www.spitfirerecords.com/dogFashion.htm, www.endomusic.com, and www.blindsightband.com.
Come check out these nationals and support your locals in one night of nonstop rock to see what the buzz is about Tri-Cities new music scene.
Interview with Josey Scott from Saliva in The Loafer
Edited to be current
After 15 years of silence, Ansley Roberts Promotions, Budweiser, and 95.9 K-Rock are bringing back major rock concerts back to the Tri- Cities.
The concerts will be presented as a series, which will be held in the parking area of The Sophisticated Otter.
The summer-long event is called the Budweiser “True Music” Summer Concert Series, and will feature some of the biggest names in the rock industry today.
The series kicks off this Wednesday, June 18, outside at The Sophisticated Otter with Saliva, who will be bringing two red-hot acts with them to Johnson City: Manmade God and Crossfade.
...
In rock and roll, a lot can happen in a short time. For Saliva, one of the biggest and most promising new rock bands on the planet, that’s especially true.
Just a few years ago, shortly after forming, they were second-guessing themselves, questioning their destiny. Now, following their platinum debut “Every Six Seconds,” which featured the successful singles “Your Disease” and “Click Click Boom,” the band is poised to raise their already high heavy rock bar.
The album made to do just that is “Back Into Your System,” produced again by Bob Marlette. It’s a quantum leap beyond their debut and places the band among rock’s elite.
Led by Saliva’s first single “Always,” and strengthened by a platoon of equally solid and tuneful gems, Back Into Your System is a deeper exploration of the refreshing bounce, high-decibel growl, and edgy melodicism the band introduced on their debut.
Josey Scott, Saliva’s colorful frontman explains how Saliva elevated their lyrics and sound.
Q: What’s the meaning behind the title Back Into Your System?
A: “At first glance, obviously we’re back. You have to put the CD into your system. In a deeper meaning as artists, it’s the band coming back home, back to the people who made us who we are, to the kids that go to the record store and lay down hard-earned cash for your art. It’s serving those people; being present and accounted for to the people that love us and care for us. It’s also sort of a sexual thing - back into your system, like ‘Every Six Seconds’ was. It’s an ultimate rock album title, sex is there, heroic return is there, and the homespun aspect of missing our fans, coming back and seeing them again.
Q: A song like “Famous Monsters” brings a new dimension to the band.
A: “A record that changed my life was Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours.’ It shaped my heart, and was a defining moment in my turntable history. I like records you can listen to from whisker to tail. With a song like “Famous Monsters” we tried to change things up a little; it has a great melody but the guitar sound is a little different for Saliva.
Q: Talk about your collaboration with Nikki Sixx on “Rest In Pieces.”
A: Nikki and I are friends, and he mentioned that he wrote this song that he wanted me to record. I pushed “Play” and was so leveled when I heard it that I instantly listened to it again to make sure I wasn’t hearing things. I called him up and said, “I’m not going to change anything!” What you hear on the record is exactly like the demo, just done as a band. It’s incredible from beginning to end, a really special piece of work.
Q: You must be excited about the quality of what you’ve done.
A: Yeah, I’m excited. It’s a great opportunity to show the world that we’ve grown and that we’re taking them along with us.
Q: How does your background influence you musically?
A: When I was a kid, my dad was a country/gospel artist, and played everywhere from barrooms to churches. It was interesting to see him evolve and go through the business. A lot of musicians discover their place as a teen, while I discovered mine around 4 or 5.
Growing up in Memphis gave me urban roots, black roots, that northern Mississippi Delta thing. Elvis, when he was a kid, lived in the projects, and he’d run over to Beale St. and see the old blues guys and beg them to teach him how to play guitar. I was lucky enough to grow up around real cats, real music, and real characters. I was overwhelmingly influenced by blues/R&B and rockabilly. Those guys added bounce to country and blues. To me, music is about freedom and wherever that power comes from - whether it’s from B.B. King, the Barkays or the Mississippi Mass Choir. Bring it on! Bring a lot of it when you come, ‘cuz it needs to feed a lot of us.
...Ansley Roberts adds...
“I have been working very hard for the last three years to build a foundation in the area”, say promoter Ansley Roberts. “Many bridges were burned in the late ’80s, and early ’90s with the record industry. I never understood why, but certain people here decided take away these great events. Some of my greatest memories are attending huge rock shows at Freedom Hall, but the most recent generations never had the opportunity to experience these shows. It isn’t fair, and I was determined to bring some excitement back to the area rock fans.”
“The White Zombie fiasco at Freedom Hall set us back 10 years,” Roberts adds, “and I am just now beginning to convince record companies that there are starving fans here. It was embarrassing, and the people responsible should be ashamed of themselves. This country is about freedom of choice, and people can choose to attend shows or stay at home. Certain people in this area, however, are convinced that it is their job to make these decisions for people. It is sad, and music fans deserve more respect than that. Times have changed since those days, as we now have a modern rock radio station in WRZK, and we have a partner in Budweiser who has recently focused their national promotions and advertising on rock music. The tide has shifted towards this moment, and local fans will prove that this is long overdue.”
Roberts has seen local fans travel to Knoxville, Charlotte or Atlanta to see their favorite shows. This summer, however, their favorite shows are coming home.
Powerman 5000 will appear on Friday, June 27. Tickets for the Powerman show are priced at $15 advance/$18 day of show. Other shows are on the way, so fans should look out for the latest news on WRZK or by visiting ansleyroberts.com
SHADOWWAX to play Otter
More from french60wasp posting over at Ansley Roberts
The Sophisticated Otter is proud to present SHADOWWAX, live on Thursday, June 26 at 10:30 PM, with special guests RITE OF PASSAGE. Shadowwax is a powerful 4 piece rock group from Knoxville TN. Cover charge will be $5 and this is a SPECIAL 18 and UP SHOW!!!
Drawing from influences ranging from Alice in Chains to Black Sabbath, Shadowwax has quickly become one of the most popular rock acts in the Knoxville area. Using powerful guitar work and haunting lyrics, Shadowwax has built a huge fan base while headlining venues throughout East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, including Bluecats, Knoxville's premier showcase club. Shadowwax is touring clubs throughout the Southeast.
Supporting Shadowwax will be Rite of Passage, an electric hard rock group who recently performed with Blindsight at the Otter. Rite of Passage has burst onto the Tri Cities scene, rapidly becoming area favorites with their dark grooves and expolsive guitar work. For more details, listen to 95.9 WRZK's "Rock Files", visit Dad's CD's or call the Sophisticated Otter at 423-928-1705.
Superjoint Ritual to play JC on July 11th
This from Ansley Roberts:
Superjoint Ritual
Friday, July 11
Phil Anselmo - vocals - (Pantera, Down, and more)
Kevin Bond- guitar - (Body & Blood, Christ Inversion)
Jimmy Bower- guitar - (Eyehategod, Clearlight)
Hank Williams III - bass
Joe Fazzio - drums
Get ready... a tornado is coming. Superjoint Ritual has just confirmed with Ansley Roberts Promotions to appear Friday, July 11 at Rafters. Tickets will be only $18 advance/ $20 day of show, and available Saturday, June 28 exclusively at DAD's CDs.
Keep watching TEAM ROCK for more information on this event!
MANMADEGOD uxexpectedly stranded in JC
While Johnson City was able to see MANMADEGOD rock the stage before the Saliva concert, the good people of Knoxville were not. MANMADEGOD was forced to cancel there apperance at Blue Cats in K-Town because their van broke down in Johnson City. Hopefully they will soon catch up to Saliva and rejoin the tour.
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
LENNON Has Announced Shows with Alice Cooper
This from Lennon Murphy's website:
7/14/2003 Toledo, OH - Zoo Amphitheater w/Alice Cooper
7/16/2003 Youngstown, OH - B&B Backstage w/Alice Cooper
7/20/2003 Clear Lake, IA - Surf Ballroom w/Alice Cooper
The Bay in Chattanooga to Stop Having Shows
This from The Bay's Website
Schedule for the Bay:
June 19 CIA Music Showcase
June 20 Fizgig, Little House, The Unsatisified, Diesechum
June 21 Indo, Dog Fashion Disco, 6 Black Days, Section
June 21 Sister Hazel, Chuck Carrier, and Resonance
7 year anniversary and last show at The Bay.
Couple of tid-bits posted at Ansley Roberts
Whats up everyone? I am starting up a series of concerts this summer at the Otter featuring out-of-town bands that are highly succesful in their local markets matched up with in town bands who are looking to find groups to trade out shows with. I am working on sponsership from a local food chain, should know by next Monday...
We have a great lineup of bands who have huge followings in their area, matched with some really good local talent. These shows are also going to be 18 and up shows, all at the Otter, and all ONLY $5
Thur.June 26: Knoxville area favorites SHADOW WAX (Alice in Chains style Modern rock with a cutting deep grove) will perform with local area hard rock favorites RITE OF PASSAGE.
Sat. July 5: RUNNING WITH SCISSORS from Blacksburg (see Tool meets Sublime) returns to the Otter after rocking the house with ENDO on June 20. Shadow Wax might open this show...it was supposed to be Five Foot Mullet as the headliners, but they have been forced to cancel due to other obligations
Thursday JULY 17: This is a big one! The Calima Drive GET LEID RAID!!!AGENTS OF THE SUN, the Baltimore/ DC area's hottest regional band will make their first visit to the Tri Cities. Agents of the Sun (think 311 with more song and less hip hop) consists of members of former Fowl Records artists LIVE ALIEN BROADCAST and have performed with GEORGE CLINTON, Saliva, Powerman 5000, 3 Doors Down, Stereomud, hedPe, Theory of A Deadman, and Trust Company. Their debut single "Sincerly Yours" (DCide Records) has been one of the top ten most requested songs on DC101 for the last 7 weeks, beating out radio heavyweights like AFI, Audioslave, Radiohead ect ect. Opening for Agents of the Sun will be local favorites TRIBUS, who have big plans to turn this into the beach party of the year! This will be a can't miss show!
Thur. July 31. STRAWMAN, DC area hard rock and metal comes to town...think 1985 Chilli Peppers meet Godsmack. The bill is TBA, right now the opener will be local metal group Downbleed
Hope you folks can come out, this is a big chance for Johnson City to suppliment Ansley's efforts to put the city on the map in the Mid Atlantic music scene, its a big chance to see some great music that we otherwise wouldn't see, and its a big opourtunity for some local bands to get exposure in other markets through show trade outs (Strawman and Shadow Wax are both open to trading out shows) and exposure on band websites and through word of mouth in those markets. More info in the coming days!
French
and this also was interesting....
We are lucky that we have great local venues to see bands, and great local groups. In terms of the club circut, this area is tied to Knoxville...which is part of the Atlanta circut...so i am working on getting some Atlanta bands up here too... JaD is one that is terrific that I have talked to... see Sevendust meets Pink Floyd. 6 Monthes ago, DC and Baltimore area bands could not have told you where Johnson City was on the radar...now thanks to Ansley's efforts with Saliva and Powerman... Johnson City is a buzz word up there. Saliva and Powerman both spread the word about this are and the DCBarbeque Festival a couple of weeks ago... we are on the map guys. All it takes are folks to show up...and you are gonna see some great bands here!
Check out these groups...you may be hearing about them down here soon!
33 West (National Winner of the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands Competion)
33 West
JaD- One of the bevy of terrific rock bands in the Atlanta area
Jad
Ten Years- Knoxvilles most popular modern rock group.... their Bluecats CD release party had over 500 people, and they are supporting Saliva's show down there.
and many more!
--French
That was from french60wasp - over at Ansley Roberts
