I was fortunate this holiday season when it came down to music. One might say, that I had been good all year so Santa saw fit to put some wicked musical experiences and opportunities in my stocking…I wouldn’t, but someone out there might still be optimistic. To kick off my well-deserved vacation, I headed down to Atlanta for a X-mas Jam, put on by a local radio station, 99x, and to my extreme merriment got to see Silversun Pickups, The Shins, Silverchair, and Modest Mouse. I love the Silversun Pickups. I discovered them in 2006 when I stumbled upon their debut EP, Pikul, which came out the previous year, and am still currently obsessed with their most recent release Carnavas. When my phone rings…it’s the Silversun Pickups. This is how much I love this band. Seeing them live, was amazing. They are just as good live, if not better than usual. The lead singer’s voice is amazing and their drummer is a freaking animal.
]]> The bassist, Nikki Monniger, adds a little bit of eccentricity with her off-key voice, and her strangely appropriate bass chords. However, her stage presence is that of an awkward 13 year old girl that is afraid to come out of her shell and rock. She swayed to and fro…once, I think. This wouldn’t have been so apparent if it wasn’t for the lead singer and guitarist, Brian Aubert and the drummer, Christopher Guanlao, being such complete and utter rockers. Their antics make you forget the keyboardist, Joe Lester, is even there. All and all they are wonderfully talented and you get your moneys worth. This band’s sound has been compared to Veruca Salt and Smashing Pumpkins. I would agree it has that feel to it, with a twist of modern sprinkled in.I own two of The Shins albums and have been a mild fan of theirs since 2001. However, I listen to them when I do laundry, in the garage, or if I want to hang out in my head for a long drive, alone. While, I still enjoy their music, I will say that I have never seen such a boring performance. Five members, on one stage, and all I could feel was…is this it? I agree it is a bit jangley. I do like distortion. They do not have the ability to keep my attention for more than twenty minutes. Not because they are horrible, because I do like them, but because they are boring to watch. I could be satisfied keeping them on my CD player in the garage forever, and not ever seeing them again. Like a friend you only talk to on Myspace, I’ll listen and we can be friends, but I don’t ever want to see you in the real world.
The third band, was who Leticia and Ewton were most excited to see. Silverchair. I stopped following Silverchair with Frogstomp, and never went back. My 14 year old self, was in love with the band and their first album, as most 14 year old girls are with most hot guy bands. I never bought the other albums. I never cared. Hell, I didn’t know they were still around until about a year ago. Apparently, they just don’t come over here too often and I don’t blame them. They put on a great show. They opened with “Israel’s Son” off of Frogstomp, and the teenager in my soul was won over immediately. A song you haven’t heard in a decade can really be a powerful tool of remembrance. It took me back, and got my attention. The rest of their set didn’t disappoint. They have improved, they aren’t little boys anymore, and they can rock hard and probably frogstomp your ass. The lead singer was sporting a very child molester mustache and little clothing, but he could have been wearing a clown suit, as a joker with that much talent can do what they want.
Finally, Modest Mouse took the stage. I have been an avid fan since 2000, when I rotated Interstate 8 and Moon Over Antarctica, endlessly. I have steadily started to decrease my affection for them as they become more and more produced. I hated Good News for People who Love Bad News, and I only enjoy 50% of their new album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, which I find the tracks to be a hit or a miss. I love their older, rougher stuff. I loved Building Nothing from Something, and This is a Long Drive with Nothing to Think About. I saw them open for Built to Spill about five years ago, and it was wonderful. Although, I was worried they would only play their new album, I was equally as curious about Johnny Marr. If anyone put on a show this night it was Johnny. He was just as much of a legend as I thought he might be. I wondered what he would think if he knew my cat was named Morrissey. The rest of the band and their performance were lacking. It was sloppy and loose. It was if the entire sold out crowd was watching a garage practice where half the members showed up drunk. I was a little disappointed, but singing some old favorites, and watching their new addition, made up for it. However, the Silversun Pickups performance, more than paid for my gas and the $8 beers.
Stay tuned, to see who rocked my New Year’s Eve.
jennyhellcat@gmail.com
7n) A resolution authorizing the Director of General Services to enter into a lease agreement with Interfaith Hospitality Network relative to 702 East 11th Street, Lease Area “A,” as referenced in Case No. MR-2007-210 and as shown on the map attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference, in the amount of $1 annually and for a term of 40 years. (Added by permission of Council Chair Page.)
We would have loved to have told you about this one in this week's City CouncilScope, but it was added to the agenda posted Friday, November 16, on the council website. The IHN assists the homeless. Considering how often the homeless issue has surfaced in Chattanooga over the last couple of years (hello, Farmers’ Market property on East 11th Street), the timing of this item and its sudden appearance on the agenda during a holiday week is curious. At best.
So maybe the City Council can do something to prevent a proposed homeless services complex on East 11th after all. If they want to, that is.
When we last tuned in, Mayor Ron Littlefield had brought a new player onto the scene to represent the administration in the struggle over Rutherford’s health insurance benefits – attorney Walter Williams.
Today, the mayor announced that Williams found a case that settled the issue once and for all. And the case didn’t help Rutherford.
“I must concede that the matter has been previously determined by the courts, and there is little, if any, reason to pursue the matter further,” Littlefield said in a statement made to council members Tuesday afternoon. “Accordingly, I have advised our human resources administrator of this finding and have instructed the department to take appropriate measures to honor the actions of the City Council confirming that the date of Ms. Rutherford’s exit from her position shall be as stated in their Resolution of October 9, 2007.”
It basically shows that her verbal statement of resignation, made to the media and to Council Chairman Dan Page, was on October 1, and was effective immediately.
So, case closed, right?
Who knows? You just might have to tune in tomorrow for a new twist in response to this turn, too.
And of course the media, namely Channel 3 reporter Lesley Dale, stopped by City Hall to chat with her.
But it looks like Marti didn't feel like chatting...
Check out this little video from Channel 3.
A woman of few words, indeed.
As Dr. Rick asks us to answer some tough questions about what that event says about our ability to be accepting and keep our own trespasses in mind before we judge others, let's ask the obvious question: If these men who were picked up for "cruising" were "cruising" for heterosexual companionship, would the Johnson City Press have plastered the front page with their names, ages and street addresses?
Somehow, I think not.
Well, in this day and age, those people are a little hesitant to talk, and journalists may be reluctant to seek them out, thanks to the fact that the federal government can ask them to identify their sources in a court of law. (Hello, Judith Miller.)
That may be changing, though. And we journalists could use YOUR help.
The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed legislation, 398-21, that would keep us from being forced to testify or reveal sources in court. That's called a shield law, and while it's in effect on the state level, that's not the case on the federal level. (Props to Rep. Zach Wamp for being one of the good guys on this bill.)
Now the bill is going to be debated in the Senate, and the White House has threatened a veto of the measure.
Here's what we need you to do: get in touch with your senators (Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker) and encourage them to support the Reporters Shield Law.
Lamar Alexander
alexander.senate.gov
752-5337
Bob Corker
corker.senate.gov
756-2757
While it may seem that this law only benefits reporters, it actually benefits YOU more. Because the more we can find out about what the people in power are doing, the more educated you can become and the better decisions you can make at the ballot box.
So get busy!
It would call for owners to pick up the poop not only at parks but also on city streets and sidewalks.
OK, we can go for that.
But here’s the kicker: If we members of the media who were present understand it right, it would apply to private property, too.
And it could be enforced by fines ranging from $50 to $5,000.
So, who will enforce this? Police officers, animal control officers, specially appointed staffers at Parks and Recreation, and specially appointed officers at wastewater management.
Not like we have enough for all these folks to do anyway. Let’s make them police poop at people’s homes.
The City Council is going to take a look at adding two new ordinances
concerning the pick-up of doggie droppings in area parks that allow
pets.
Staffers at the city attorney's office presented the puppy proposal in
today's Legal & Legislative Committee meeting.
And, of course, there's that little detail about who might enforce it.
City attorneys have written in the ordinance that police and park
officials would act as the poop police.
The council decided to bring in representatives from the Animal Care
Trust, along with a member of the public works department, to help them
iron out the ordinance. They will all meet October 16 at 2 p.m. in the
City Council Building.
So, now the Council moves ahead with candidate interviews, though Marti's presence is still lingering.
And, by the way, some folks in District 8 (friends of Marti?) are now calling for Leamon Pierce's ouster due to an alleged altercation with a man in police custody back in 2005 see Chattanoogan.com story. The charge? Acts of Moral Turpitude. Just like Marti! Hey, where can I get some of that, there Moral Turpitude? It seems to be pretty popular these days.
Sheeesh!
]]>By Robert Plain
for the Mail Tribune
September 27, 2007
ASHLAND — They're openly disrespectful of each other. They curse and bicker regularly in public. They disagree on almost everything. But now they've agreed to see a counselor for a second shot at their broken relationship.
This isn't a marriage on the outs; it's the Ashland City Council.
read more...Full Article
]]>Now, I recognize a patient's right to privacy, but the CPD is going to HAVE to say SOMETHING about this sooner or later.
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