Month: December 2014

Categories
Music Music Features

Beat It, 2014!

CREDIT: Christopher Protagonist

Christopher Protagonist

The City Champs

Lists: Pfffff. Throwing shade at lists: Equal amounts pffff. In the age of YouTube and Spotify, you don’t need to know what anyone else thinks. Everyone online is saying the same thing anyway. Check the Flyer music listings and look the stuff up like a grown-up. But this is Memphis. There’s a lot to be excited about.

On the totally subjective front, Alvin Youngblood Hart‘s self-titled 7″ on Big Legal Mess is the record that I most enjoyed this year. Side-A’s “Helluva Way” has a speeding-ticket-inducing tempo, a properly placed cowbell, and thrilling bass lines from “Mr. Everywhere,” Mark Stuart. Hart leads the band on a pirate raid through ZZ Top’s abandoned compound. B-side, “Watching Brian Jones” —  is an existential YouTube-junky blues — Tesla coils burst out of his amp into the night. If you follow Hart on Facebook, you know that he’s is a serious luthier. You can hear it in his tone. Is it punk, rock, or blues? Exactly.

A pretty girl playing bass okay and singing okay is, well … okay. But Amy LaVere focused her laser this year with Runaway’s Diary. The timid experimentation is gone. She found a strong footing with her songwriting. There’s a new confidence in her voice. The theme is compelling, and the lyrics are moving. Now, the players follow her, and the result is an artist in full. This is a great Southern story record for any year. “I’ll Be Home Soon” has been stuck in my head since the day I heard it.

Graham Winchester jumped onto this list at the last minute. His dues were paid at Newby’s and the Buccaneer. He distinguished himself as a sideman for the old timers. It makes sense that he could pull together a crack band and a set of masterful instrumentalists. But this is Memphis, and people pull together hot-personnel bands all the time, and they don’t always work. Winchester raised the bar on songwriting in this town.

Madjack Records has a long history in Memphis’ sonic soup kitchen. This year, the burners are hot. The Memphis Dawls are an inspiring, evolving trio of musicians. Rooted In The Bone covers a lot of ground without the strain of an act covering bases. Holly Cole, Krista Wroten-Combest, and Jana Misener are naturally comfortable working in several American grains. Engineer Jeff Powell also worked on American Fiction‘s debut with engineering titan Larry Kramer. Powell and Madjack have loaded barrels for 2015. Can’t wait.

The rerelease of Sid Selvidge‘s In the Cold of the Morning on Omnivore Recordings is the most important release of the year. The songs and the sound of Selvidge’s voice are mesmerizing. The instrumentation may be the best example of Memphis’ madcap 1960s generation at work. They are their nutty selves, but they don’t get too carried away. Perfect record.

As for live music, Big Ass Truck’s reunion was the highlight of the year. Just kidding; we stunk. The best live band in town is Marcella & Her Lovers. It takes courage to sing like Marcella René Simien. The emotional flood gates open up with every note. Her rhythm section can split hairs and topple buildings with equal panache. And guitarist Dave Cousar is sublime. His atmospheric, harmonic style lends an otherworldliness to her earthy vocal. This is one magically idiosyncratic band.

Conflict of interest? Sure. It’s gotten to the point that it’s almost as crazy as Graceland tour guides having to ignore Aunt Delta’s escaped little dog that we haven’t addressed Flyer intern Chris Shaw, who fronts the ascendant punk band Ex-Cult. All of the digital titles (Pitchfork, Stereogum, and the ones geezers don’t know) are on board. Guitarist JB Horrell is something of a punk Cousar: There is a kooky wizard dust in his playing. Horrell’s guitar sets Ex-Cult apart from countless young punks who simply opened the manual to page one. Shaw is also writing for Noisey, Vice Media’s music thing. After a truly epic editorial internship, we are pleased to announce that he will become a staff music writer starting … now.

On December 26th, Marcella & Her Lovers will open for the City Champs at the Hi-Tone. The City Champs are a perfectly distilled essence of Memphis music. Their sound is a combination of power and restraint that really has no competition. They tastefully nod to the past without bowing in servitude. They are good enough to inhabit the space on their own. Go see them. Support the Hi-Tone. Tell important geniuses that you love them. Send me your records: boone@memphisflyer.com.

Categories
News News Blog

MPD, Jason’s Deli Hosting “Holiday Ham Giveaway”

The Memphis Police Department is collaborating with Jason’s Deli to provide families in need with free hams on Christmas Eve.

Poverty and hunger are both issues Memphis has battled with for years. In 2010, a Food Research Action Center study dubbed Memphis the “hunger capital of the United States.” And this year, a University of Memphis study ranked Memphis as the nation’s poorest major metropolitan area.

Considering the above-mentioned information, the MPD’s C.O.P. Unit, along with Jason’s Deli, will host a “Holiday Ham Giveaway.” The event will take place today at the MPD’s Airways Station (2234 Truitt).

Five hundred hams will be donated to disadvantaged families during the giveaway. The event starts at noon.

“Officers see firsthand how hunger and poverty touch many lives,” said MPD director Toney Armstrong. “This is just one of the countless ways we show those in need that we understand the struggles they face on a daily basis; and we are thankful for the generous donations from Jason’s Deli to help us in this endeavor of giving back to our community.”

Categories
Calling the Bluff Music

Virghost Drops “K.O.M.” Freestyle

A few months after the release of his GHOSTS project, Virghost is back with new music. The ill wordsmith’s latest joint “K.O.M.” showcases him delivering a freestyle over Mobb Deep’s “Give Up the Goods” instrumental. Stream the track below. 

Virghost Drops ‘K.O.M.’ Freestyle

Check out my website
Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook 

Categories
Music Music Blog

Bah Humbug: 2014’s Memphis Music Letdowns

J.D. Reager

The Memphis music scene enjoyed many triumphs in the past year, which my colleagues have already discussed and celebrated. But 2014 also saw its share of failure and disappointment – two things I consider myself something of an expert on. So, to borrow an old catchphrase from local sports-talk radio personalities Chris Vernon and Gary Parrish: 2014, I’m hating on you. (P.S. – shout-out to the brain trust that helped me put this list together. You know who you are.)

[jump]

10. Venue Closings

Two longstanding Memphis music venues closed in 2014 – Midtown’s The Poplar Lounge (A.K.A. where the stars used to hang out) and Newby’s, the centerpiece of the Highland strip. And while the Newby’s space sits vacant, The Poplar Lounge has been replaced by a second location of the Bartlett heavy metal bar Rockhouse Live. 

9. Beale St. Cover Charge Fiasco

In August, the Downtown Memphis Commission experimented with a $10 cover charge to walk down Beale Street after-hours on weekends. This was in response to a string of violent incidents in the area, but nobody seemed happy about the policy. Some even suggested racist motivations, and the fee was quickly abandoned.

8. Come Back Jake

Memphis musicians have, somewhat notoriously, always seemed to find greater success outside the Bluff City than within. This year, we lost a crucial member of the scene in Jake Vest – a singer/guitarist behind such bands as Tiger High, The Bulletproof Vests, Dream Team, Jump Back Jake, Clay Otis, and countless others – to Brooklyn, NY and a band called The Echo-Friendly.

7. Rick Ross

What’s more embarrassing than having a guy who rapped about drugging and raping women perform at the University of Memphis’ annual Memphis Madness event? Giving him the key to the city for opening a Wingstop.

6. Radio, Radio

In September, Entercom – a radio conglomerate that controls numerous stations across the country, including several in Memphis – decided to turn Classic Hits 94.1 into The Wolf, trading in classic rock (I.E., The Beatles) for modern pop-country drivel. To make things worse, the company fired longtime local D.J. Steve Conley. Ugh. And, oh, by the way – U of M radio still really sucks.

5. Gone Guitars

Local singer-songwriters Chris Milam and Myla Smith embarked on a tour together this fall, and all was well until all of their gear and merchandise was stolen in Jackson, MS. So far, none of it has been recovered.

4. Symphony of Destruction

In order to help keep the cash-strapped Memphis Symphony Orchestra up and running, members of the group agreed to take a 38% pay cut and continue playing; but the question still remains as to whether Memphis can realistically maintain a top-notch symphony in the long term.

3. Killer No-Show

Fresh off the heels of the release of his critically-acclaimed comeback album Rock & Roll Time, Memphis music legend Jerry Lee Lewis canceled his performance at the Cannon Center at the last possible minute. Fans waited for over an hour and a half before hearing the news: he had fallen ill and wasn’t up to the gig. Here’s hoping Mr. Lewis recovered fully and can make up the date in the future.

2. Violence (However Accidental)

Murphy’s, located at 1589 Madison, is an established local music venue and watering hole and has long been known as the “bar across the street from the (former) Antenna Club.” But a recent rash of violent encounters in the neighborhood (including one incident where a Murphy’s patron caught a stray bullet) has led some to question whether the business currently occupying the Antenna’s former space, a club called The Renaissance, is a public nuisance.

1. Death Becomes No One

Sadly, 2014 will be known as the year that took Memphis music icons Jimi Jamison, John Fry, John Hampton, Mabon “Teenie” Hodges, Don Mann, Jesse Winchester, Wendy Rene, and probably others that I’m forgetting, away from us. Rest in peace, y’all.

Categories
Sports Tiger Blue

Tigers 78, Western Illinois 51

The Tigers completed their busiest stretch of the season — five games in 11 days — with a thorough dismantling of the Fighting Leathernecks at FedExForum. Memphis scored the game’s first nine points and had the game in hand by halftime with a 41-14 lead. (Western Illinois took 30 shots over the game’s first 20 minutes and made four.)

Sparked by sophomore Nick King‘s first career double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds), the Tigers earned their fourth straight win and improved to 7-4. They’ll open conference play when Houston comes to town for a New Year’s Eve matinee.

“We needed game experience,” said Tiger coach Josh Pastner when asked about the frequency of games this month. “I wish we could have done like the NBA does and have eight preseason games. We had some tough early games, where we were trying to figure things out. I’m trying to figure the guys out, and they were trying to figure each other out. We dropped a couple of games due to that. It’s such a new team, with such inexperience. We have a better feel of who our team is, our identity. And what we need to continue to work on.”

61-61945.jpg

Junior forward Shaq Goodwin did not play, having been suspended a game for what Pastner called a violation of team rules. (Pastner described the violation as “extremely minor.”) It was the first game Goodwin has not entered in his college career. Senior Calvin Godfrey came off the bench to absorb some of Goodwin’s playing time and contributed 12 points and nine rebounds in 16 minutes.

“That’s what [Godfrey] does,” said King. “In practice, he’s always a leader on the plus-minus chart. We’re battling for rebounds, talking, because we have a connection. Hats off to Calvin because he had a great game. He stepped up when his name was called.”

The Tigers bottled up the Leathernecks’ top scorer, holding Garret Covington (17.8 ppg) to a single field goal on 11 attempts and four points. Western Illinois made only four of 19 three-point attempts, the seventh time in seven Tiger wins the U of M has held its opponent under 30 percent from long range.

Trahson Burrell was one of five Tigers with at least 10 points (10), his fifth straight game in double figures, and also pulled down nine rebounds. Austin Nichols scored 12 and Pookie Powell had 10. The Tigers had more assists (17) than turnovers (12) for just the third time this season.

The U of M has now played 11 games without a scoring margin less than 10 points, the first such stretch to open a season since 1985-86. (That Tiger team won all 11 games.) Burrell feels his team will be ready when tighter games unfold. “We haven’t played an official road game yet,” he said. “We’ve played on some neutral sites. But that will be our first real test, on the road.”

“This is the best stretch we’ve played,” said Pastner. “I think we’re getting better. I’m excited to see where we are, the way we’ve progressed. Now, as we get into conference play, we’ve got to keep getting better.”

Categories
News News Blog

U of M President Issues Statement Regarding Bowl Game Brawl

The Memphis Tigers triumphed over the BYU Cougars Monday in the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl.

The action-packed event brought forth two overtimes. An interception from Tiger cornerback DaShaughn Terry served as the game’s closer, and Memphis came out victorious 55-48.

Unfortunately, the Tigers’ awe-inspiring feat was marred by a midfield postgame brawl that left a few players bloody and bruised. 

In light of the altercation, University of Memphis president M. David Rudd has issued a statement: 

“I have been in contact with athletic director Tom Bowen and his senior leadership team in regards to the altercation that occurred after the Miami Beach Bowl Game. I have asked Tom to work with Coach [Justin] Fuente to fully investigate the incident and to keep me apprised on the actions and discipline of our student-athletes in the coming days. We will provide another statement after the completion of that inquiry. We have the highest expectations of sportsmanship for all of our student-athletes at the University of Memphis. I am very confident in Tom Bowen and Coach Fuente’s leadership and know that working together we will be able to ensure incidents like this do not happen in the future.”

The Tigers ended its season with an impressive record of 10-3. 

Footage of the brawl as well as highlights from the bowl game can be viewed below.

U of M President Issues Statement Regarding Bowl Game Brawl (2)

U of M President Issues Statement Regarding Bowl Game Brawl

Categories
News News Blog

Sheriff’s Office Busts Meth Lab, Seeks Man on Meth Charges

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is looking for 26-year-old Damian Umberger, who has an arrest warrant for meth-related charges. Umburger is the roommate of 26-year-old Jeremy Pounds, who was arrested on Friday, December 19th in a meth lab bust in Millington.

On the day of Pounds’ arrest, narcotics deputies responded to a foul chemical odor complaint at 4580 Waverly Farms. Officers noticed items used to make meth and dispatched detectives to the scene. Pounds was arrested and 26 one-pot meth labs were seized, as well as large quantities of meth-making materials in the yard throughout Pounds’ home. Pounds is being held in the Shelby County Jail without bond. The house has been quarantined as a health hazard.

Now deputies are looking for Umberger in connection with the crime. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is being asked to call CrimeStoppers at 545-CASH.

Damian Umberger

Jeremy Pounds

Categories
Memphis Gaydar News

Cherry’s Hoochie Coochie Holiday Burlesque Review

Christmas will be over by the time the next Cherry party occurs on Saturday, December 27th, but the monthly “lezzie shindig” is promising to “save you from the holiday madness,” according to host Julie Wheeler.

As usual, there will be a burlesque show featuring Macc Onner, Kitty Wompas, LadyDoo Moi, Requi Emma, and Kissame Suga. And Wheeler will serve as the MC. The party is at Earnestine & Hazel’s, so those who want liquor are encouraged to BYOB. Beer and Soul Burgers will be for sale. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., and the shows start at 9:30 and 11 p.m. Admission is $10 for general or $20 for VIP (comes with a saved seat by the stage and a signed Cherry poster.

Categories
Intermission Impossible Theater

Holiday Theatre Roundup for Humbugs Part Three

I’ve been writing about Christmas shows for the past couple of weeks, but have yet to spend much time with the biggies. And now the holiday has snuck up, as it will, and there’s not too much time to spend. So, here goes…

Still Caroling

Christmas is upon us, beware of ghosts.

Although our annual gifting season comes with almost as many spook stories as Halloween, only one has really stuck in the public consciousness; Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Theatre Memphis has transformed the story into an annual holiday extravaganza that closes tonight (Dec. 23, 7 p.m.). 

Over the past few years, and under the creative guidance of director Jason Spitzer, TM has redesigned and evolved the show, with the assistance of Christopher McCollum, who created some extraordinary design elements, and the late John Hiltonsmith, who gave the show its eerie sonic landscape. The aim was to keep a few iconic elements, while reimagining the rest.

The biggest change this year: Barry Fuller, Memphis’ most beloved Scrooge, decided to take a break from the role. Fuller promises to return in four years, when he is 91, to revive the role for TM’s centennial. In the meantime his brocade-covered seat is being kept warm by the most able David Shipley. 

Everyone knows the story, of course, as it is inescapable, and every filmed version from the iconic 1938 film with Reginald Owen to the 1999 Patrick Stewart interpretation, seem to be in heavy rotation, so there’s no point going over all of that again. What you need to know is that Theatre Memphis committed to this show a long time ago, and in recent years committed to knocking off the dust, and revitalizing its annual gift to the community for a new generation. 

Here’s a video I shot in 2010 of designer Christopher McCollum talking about the show’s gorgeous redesign. 

Holiday Theatre Roundup for Humbugs Part Three

If you’re looking to experience something that’s both relatively new and very traditional at once, this is the ticket you’re looking for—if you can even get one at this late hour. 

Still Crowing

I’m afraid to turn on the TV these days. Almost as depressing as the gloom and doom on the nightly news, was a disastrous live performance of Peter Pan with Christopher Walken as Captain Hook. But don’t let that abomination prevent you from spending some time at Playhouse on the Square with the little boy who won’t grow up. 

POTS hasn’t done Pan as often as TM has done Carol, but it’s a frequently produced part of the company’s repertoire, and beloved by the artists who bring it to life. Again, the story is too well known to repeat. So instead, here’s a video from the 2013 production, to give you a taste of what’s in store.  

Holiday Theatre Roundup for Humbugs Part Three (2)

Peter Pan is at Playhouse through Jan. 4. 

Categories
Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Intensive BBQ Class Set for January

Troy Black, former Southern Living editor who left the gig to take up competitive BBQing full time, is teaching a day and a half class called Real BBQ Know How on January 9th and 10th.

The class, $250 per person, is serious stuff for serious BBQ-ers and covers everything from butchering and sauces to smokers and woods.

The class will feature a dinner by Yi Lynne Weber of Masterchef and Cut Throat Kitchen. 

Do you or someone on your holiday gift list love great BBQ and have always wanted to know how to do it at home?

For more info, go to Real BBQ Know How.