Catching Up

I really wish I was as diligent about keeping up with this blog as this guy is with his. He's all over it, with copious photographic documentation an everything. I look in on him ever so often because he's offering a glimpse of a Knoxville I have so little contact with. To him, so many of the things in this city I consciously ignore or find annoying are fascinating, things that make the place livable and great. I have to admire his spirit and commitment, especially since he doesn't appear to be getting paid for such blatant boosterism. I especially love how star-struck he gets at something as provincial as an RB Morris show. If I voted in Metro Pulse's readers' poll, I'd probably vote his best blog. My other local favorite, the Wigsphere, doesn't post nearly so often, and there's over half a dozen people over there. (Plus they've participated in some of the "OMG-Knoxville-is-so-like-Brooklyn-in-x-way!" chatter that is plaguing this city.)

Anyway, some of my highlights in the last week or so:
The Exene Cervenka show, in which she gamely executed a lengthy and engaging set despite some obvious fatigue. At one point she abandoned a song she was having trouble getting through to launch an impromptu rant against corporations, union busters, vapid tv viewers and other usual suspects. As she said at its conclusion, "I mean I know you all know this, but it can't be said enough." Damn right, and it's always good to be in a room full of people cheering such sentiments on, reminding you you're not alone or going crazy, as can so often happen when you read the news. It was a night full of positive sentiments and goodwill, and that even includes Will Fist's opening solo acoustic set of drinking songs for broken-hearted lovers.

Speaking of Will, Three Man Band played possibly the heaviest set I've heard them perform opening for Apache Dropout, who are always a pleasure to hear live.

Ampient Night at PL was a bit shaky, but that's the nature of improvisation I guess. Travis Gray and BJ A's set was especially good, but word is they actually practiced beforehand. Not a bad idea.

I'm sure some other fun things happened recently, but I can't recall them right now.