I’ve listened to ska before. This week I heard it for the first time. The Toasters played Murphy’s and I was there. Started in 1981, the NYC band’s existed longer than most of my friends. According to Tyler, they chose Memphis to start off their first tour in 6 years. I don’t feel the need to fact check him. Ska is one of those music genres I lump in a pile labeled “rock”. It’s my catch-all term for music I’ve never really heard. As a teen, I thought ska was a type of skateboarding event. No joke. Continue reading Fanfair
Category Archives: Murphy’s
Pool Cue
Give you a ride?
The kangaroo asks.
Why is he drinking?
Another East Midtown creation.
All having the same conversation
About the right way to do things
Given up, holding over
Delayed due to whether
Or not I can cut it.
Alone in a venue, poised.
More concerned with pain
Less concerned with desire.
Enough places to look and I’m
Never settling. Intimidating?
Don’t mess with the quiet one.
Asshole
The best thing about me is honesty. It makes me a polarizing presence; basically a snake. I pretty, slow-moving and prone to attack when startled. Snakes are primal. When they look at your, they see nothing. You have to either interact or look like food to get my attention. But really my attention is of dubious value.
I’m that asshole you want to fuck.
Fotos
The first day of Memphis Punk Fest was rocktacular. I reserve a special place in my heart for metal bands. I love the energy and passion pouring out of these bands. The fans take that and serve it right back up so there’s a continuous loop of loud fun and reckless abandon.
100 posts
I’m dedicating my 100th post to the Memphis Punk Festival. I just showed up for the opening show at Murphy’s. The crowd is high energy and ready to go. I’m here early because at 7pm I need to go visit Amurica for the Spillit slam. The theme is music, so I feel like it’s a respectable detour from the festival. Not to mention I can’t wait to tell a story. After that, all music all the time. Or something.
I’m terrified. Of the stage, not the story. I don’t have all my details hammered down but I’ve gone over the idea for almost a month. I just need to go up there and not stumble on my words. I even wore sexy underwear for luck.
The band just started up and everyone came alive. It’s superb metal. I think Spit is playing. I wanted to stay for the Cheerbleeders especially but it doesn’t look like I’ll get the chance. There’s something about scream-singing that comforts me. I want to believe I could find that thick mix of honey and gravel deep down in my own chest but I would probably giggle when I try.
And now I have a crush on the bass player. He looks like a handsome version of my 9th grade boyfriend.
Heads nodding
In approval
Bodies jitter
To the beat
Noise wavesCrashing against
Faces and walls
Excitement mixed
with body odor
and heat.
Punk Fest 2015
At age 14, I was a punk. I don’t remember all the details, but the major signs were there. I frequented the Coffee Cellar, read zines and put RAPE stickers on stop signs all over East Memphis. I got my ear cartilage pierced at a mall kiosk on a 9th grade field trip and I threw a punk-tacular fit when my parents held me down to rip it out. According to the millenial punk rating system, the music I like from that era qualifies me as a fifth level punk. So you can trust me when I say the 3rd annual Memphis Punk Festival is worth your attention. Continue reading Punk Fest 2015
An Unspecified Number of Things To Do In March
Hail to all the ice storm survivors. As a city, we get the Oscar for most-improved performance in the event of frozen water. Compared to ’94, I’m proud of Memphis and our little-salt-truck-that-could. And after that freeze, everything from here on out is practically spring. In that spirit, it’s time to knock the dust off and get out into the brisk air. A good time to scout for new hangouts, there’s no reason to break the budget before spring official kicks off. Here are my favorite places to find free-ish things happening in Memphis. Continue reading An Unspecified Number of Things To Do In March
The Running of the Birds
Hooray. It’s a holiday week! That means everyone’s got all kinds of time off work and special plans for the week. How fun. For those of us not in that category, here’s a quick glance at some things to do while the masses sleep off turkey dinner. Continue reading The Running of the Birds
The Hard Road ~ Smog
After last weekend’s wildness, it’s understandable if you want to take it easy for the next few days. However, July 4th is around the corner and there will be plenty of private parties for kicking back. June has been a hot month for happenings and I don’t plan to quit now. Not everything has to be turned up to 11, so if you’re tired take a look and choose one of the less intense activities for this weekend.