FEATURES Page 6 SIDELINES Thursday, Febrauary 29,1996 Tune in, The whole is better than the sum of its parts musical idea, I usually come up with both from Chattanooga, were in bands night, sell yourself over and over Local rockers the lyrics and vocal melody and the together before Hardcase. again. It's not always pretty," turn on, Hardcase combine rest of the band find their parts." "Jimmy and I played in a jazz Tremper says. 'We've really dedicated "He is the fifth Beatle," Tremper quartet together. We played a ourselves to what we are doing. The influences to create jokes. wedding and were paid $300 dollars. band is always taking some sort of drop out something special Tremper has been the only That was my first taste of playing for priority. We dedicate a lot of time and constant member of the band since it money." energy to our music." began. He began playing the piano at Westbrook says, "We've gone They have been playing clubs for By Krys Spain / staff ^^__ the age of three and adopted various through several drummers, some more two months, including shows at The other instruments. He has an dedicated than others. That's why we Boro, Squeezer's and a few clubs in extensive background of musical talent kept Ryan. He was technically Dr. Judson "People of all ages, race, color and Chattanooga. in his family. proficient and dedicated." solves your creed love music and rock 'n' roll is just "We are still in the adolescent "The music we play depends on the "I think we have accomplished a so diverse and so are we. Rock 'n' roll stage of a band; we've gelled well in problems mood I am in when I come up with the lot in just our writing. In such a short brought you in this world; it may just the past two months," White says. "It sound. That sounds cliche, but there is take you out," says Marcus Tremper, period of time, we've filled in a lot of is kind of new to us, exactly where we a lot of truth in that. By the time each Dear Dr. Father Judson, guitarist for Hardcase. holes and niches, and each member want to take it. We are working for a of our influences are pulled together, it has risen to the challenge," says Hardcase is a new band hitting the better following." becomes something very unique," Tremper. Perhaps you can solve my club scene. They have a unique sound Hardcase strives for a bigger Tremper says. Lewis gives credit to their dilemma. My psychedelic and play with a wide range of style. following because the band members Jimmy Westbrook has been with Recording Industry classes for showing black light posters have taken Their music is rock 'n' roll with an know that there would be no band up all the room my walls have edge, but could be classified differently Hardcase since June of 1995. He them there is more to being in a band began playing bass at a very young than just playing music. without fans. They believe the to offer. Is it acceptable to use at various times. age, but switched to bass at a friend's "Our combined knowledge of the audience determines who and what doors and closets for "We are the beating of a musical suggestion. industry has really kind of put us they become, so they are very additional space? crossroads when it comes to style," "He said I should buy a bass. He ahead of the pack. The business accessible to their fans. They even says vocalist Craig Lewis. Thanx, had inherited an old guitar, so we got expertise that Ryan brings in, Marcus have a page on the World Wide Web at Hardcase consists of four MTSU Student X together and started playing U2 knows who to talk to and how to talk http://frank.mtsu.edu/rein0005/ Recording Industry majors who are songs," Westbrook says. to them and Jimmy is an expert on hardcase.html. working for their dreams. Dear Student X, Ryan White has been drumming sound. It all works out," Lewis says. Westbrook says, "I want people to "The music speaks for Hardcase- with the band since December of 1995. As far as publicity goes, it is a joint come up to me and say Wow, you guys it's four people who, at heart, have Yes, it is acceptable to hang He has been playing drums since the effort. They believe there is more to it were great, man; you were really their act and express themselves with your psychedelic black light fifth grade, but is currently learning than just putting up flyers. creative,' not just say we were good their instruments. When it comes posters on your doors and in your some guitar White and Westbrook, "You gotta rip your heart out every because we were there playing." • closets. Heck, while you're at it, together, it is Hardcase," says why don't you just go ahead and drummer Ryan White. tie a bong to your door knob? Bassist Jimmy Westbrook says, "Hardcase isn't a new thing. It has Have a nice trip, been around a lot longer than the 'Of Mice, Bugs, and Women' Dr. Father Judson name has. We've gone through several vocalists [before we] found Craig. He Dear Dr. Father Judson, has made himself invaluable as far as writing material." I have become addicted to Lewis, a native Texan, has been your column and I look singing with Hardcase since May of forward to reading it every 1995. He also writes the lyrics for the week. You are a very wise, band. However, singing hasn't always intelligent, handsome human been his dream. being. I just wanted to share 'The way I got started up singing with you that I am an alien in human form. Would you be is my [football team] tricked me into interested in coming back to trying out for choir," Lewis says. my planet with me? I eagerly As for his contribution to the await your reply. band's material, Lewis says, "Marcus usually comes up with the basic Sincerely, Hoping you will say yes! Dear Hoping you will say yes!, Blind Melon ■1 No. seeks vocalist Thanks for sharing, Dr. Father Judson By Joey Butler /staff Dear Dr. Father Judson, If all you can say is that your life is "pretty plain," then maybe you're Do you remember opposite the perfect candidate to be Blind day? If so, when is the official opposite day? If not, why Melon's new lead singer. don't you remember opposite The group is looking to fill the day? I would also like to know void left by former vocalist Shannon what the deal is with the Hoon, who died from a drug overdose Brian G. Miller / staff Oilers coming to Nashville. Is last October. Deb Margolin speaks with the audience after her one woman show Tuesday night in the Arena this going to happen? The following ad ran in the Feb. 13 issue of The Village Voice: Theater. Have a great day, "Blind Melon is looking for a new - Hugh Jass singer. We will continue with a new name and new songs. Please send a I Dear person trying to be funny tape, a letter or whatever to Jones vvith your name, Management, 2611B Huntington Herman Green taping rescheduled Lane, Redondo Beach, Calif., 90278." Yes, I do remember opposite Blind Melon is best known for day! It was a day when people their hit single, "No Rain," which By Joey Butler / staff Seminar class in the Radio-Television/ player from Memphis, Tenn., has would say things like, "Man, that catapulted both the band and the Photography Department. A signal will played with some of the biggest names was a great letter," or, "Wow, you infamous "Bee Girl" - the star of the The Herman Green concert taping be sent via microwave from the Mass in the jazz world, including John sure are a witty writer!" "No Rain" video - to instant stardom. has been rescheduled for Friday, Communications Building to Channel 8. Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, To the best of my knowledge, A second album, "Soup," met with March 1 at 6 p.m. in the Mass In addition to being broadcast, the Milt Jackson and Clark Terry. He was opposite day is determined by the little critical success and the group Communications Building TV studio. concert will be recorded and used for a also a member of Lionel Hampton's number of stupid people that are was in the midst of touring when The concert, originally scheduled possible live album. band in the late 1950s and early around you and how bad you want Hoon passed away. for Feb. 2, was postponed due to bad Green recorded an album at 1960s, where he recorded and them to know that you think they Rumor has it that the group is weather. MTSU last summer as part of a performed with Hampton at New York are complete losers. currently working on an album using faculty development project and City's famous Carnegie Hall. So, theoretically speaking, The concert will wrap up African Hoon's posthumous vocal tracks, but American History Month and will be several recording industry students Backing up Green is his Green your letter would justify me after that, it's on to greener pastures, Machine band, made up of guitarist sa3ing, "You certainly are a witty broadcast live on Channel 8.