This was an interview in our college newspaper. All publicity is good publicity-- even from this publication. The Daily Beacon isn't exactly great journalism--a friend of mine said their motto was "Last year's news tomorrow!" but hey, we'll take whatever we can get.
With a limited number of local venues and over 100 local bands, it has become difficult for new musicians to get their music to the masses. Monday nights at Manhattan's are giving the newcomers just that opportunity.
Tonight's offering is the Tone Def White Boys. Describing his group as "your basic three piece, three chord rock 'n' roll band," frontman Alex Sniderman shared his musical insights.
"We're just a basic rock band, but I guess we're more Replacements than 38 Special," he said.
Sniderman and drummer Paul Turpin ventured to UT from Murfreesboro. Turpin is featured on a recently completed album that Sniderman put together for his College Scholars degree.
"I was really surprised when I heard the finished product. It was almost like punk. It's not the Henry Rollins, angry, in-your-face kind of punk, but more like The Jam. It's very fast and loud. The vocals are up front and really solid," he said.
With the recent addition of bassist Nathan Mitchell, the trio's future is still up in the air. Mitchell recently began playing with another popular local pop rock band, Rapscallion Battery.
"I'm not really sure what will happen to us as far as the future goes. I only have one more year until I graduate," Sniderman said.
The producer who worked on the album has invited the singer/songwriter to join him in Los Angeles.
When asked how the Tone Def White Boys differ from other "Replacements-ish type bands," Sniderman responded with the obvious. "We only have one guitar."
"Also," he continued, "we're really into stuff like the Beatles and they are a traditional four-piece."
"What about Nirvana?" the writer retorts, using the grunge millionaires as an example of another trio heavily influenced by the Fab Four.
"Yeah, I remember hearing someone in Nirvana say that nobody ever did it better that the Beatles. He said something about how there was really nothing left to do but run out and join a Beatles cover band," the musician said.
"Sometimes it seems like pop culture has been institutionalized. It's like the standards have been set for what's acceptable. Some people are out there on the front lines, breaking down the barriers. But they're not selling a million records unless the companies get behind them...like with Nirvana," he said.
Discussing the local music arena, the musician said he sees the Knoxville scene as fertile, creative ground. "There are a lot of talented people with good ideas, it just seems that the audience isn't interested enough. It's like somebody once said, 'Scenes don't become scenes until someone starts writing about them.
The Tone Def White Boys perform at 10 tonight at Manhattan's. Admission is $3.
