Local Music Scene: The Good, The Bad and The Sound

[CMF Newsman]

Editor’s note: We asked our music contributor, Hellcat, to give us her take on the local music scene—what’s up with the venues, bands and fans. She says, “Opinions expressed below are gathered from my own experiences and the interviewing and pestering of many local musicians and music lovers over the last month. Don’t hate.”

Rhythm & Brews

The Goods: Great sound and Doug. Great stage. The general “pro” feeling is there for many of the musicians I interviewed. It is a venue. Period. It is not a bar or restaurant trying to be a venue. No band = Not open. It has more space than most of the venues in town, and balcony seating. It catches most of the national acts that come through, while giving local favorites a hot spot as well. Full bar. Smoking and nonsmoking shows.

The Bads: It is a business, like most places, but due to the size it cannot give many weekend slots away to local bands, unless the draw is considerable. Unfortunately for some, and fortunately for others, the considerable draw at this venue leans toward big cover bands.

The Sounds: National, regional, local. Recently: Lucero, Dinosaur Jr., Reverend Horton Heat, as well as local bands Up with the Joneses, The Bohannons, Eris and The Tammys.

Complete story at chattanoogapulse.com/newsfeatures/news-feature/cover-story-the-good-the-bad-and-the-sound/

[Bryan Stone]

good article,... hits everything on head

[davrik]

Good article, although she left out quite a few live music venues. Perhaps she will have a "part two" of the story soon.

[Bryan Stone]

left out "music venues"? like where?

[davrik]

Unless I missed them in the article, she left out Spectaters, T- Bones, Buds, The Mudpie, The Tin Can, Barts Lakeshore, Top Of The Dock, Fox Cay, and a few others that consistently offer live music.

[Bryan Stone]

those aren't "music venues"

I play music on my back porch sometimes,.... doesn't make it a music venue

[erinslion]

>>I play music on my back porch sometimes,.... doesn't make it a music venue <<

Do you get paid for it and do your fans come to listen?

I guess you're defining "music venue" as a club that focuses solely or primarily on music but from my perspective (starving musician) any club that pays us to perform and provides a decent place for our friends and fans to be counts as a worthwhile venue. True enough that music isn't the primary focus of T-Bones or Tin Can but they do treat local bands rather well and that counts for something to a band tht generally has to travel to make any real money.

That being said though, of the places mentioned in the article The Lowdown is the one to watch. Dan goes to great lengths to bring in a broad range of outstanding talent.

[Bryan Stone]

fair enough,.... I wanna meet a chick that works @ the Low Down.

[erinslion]

Heather and Nicole are both very pretty...

[erinslion]

Heather will be working tomorrow night during the Molly show....

[Bryan Stone]

hhmmmmmm?

[Bryan Stone]

is there a TV in the Bar? w/ cable?

what time do they open?

[davrik]

I suppose you have to define music venues. I suppose Rhyth & Brews is the only true music venue....no music...not open. All of the rest Hellcat mentioned are bars/restaurants that offer music, as are T-Bones, Buds, etc. The musicians get paid, they have a place to play for their fans, and the public knows that on the music nights, someone will be playing live music there, not kareoke or a DJ. Hellcat listed the places she goes and likes. I listed a few more, thats all.