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Remembering Knoxville’s early ’80s music scene
Posted By katie allison granju
KnoxRocks godfather Todd Steed looks back fondly:
Truly, there are little magical times in music scenes around the world. Athens, GA in the mid 80s, SF in 1966, NYC CBGBs early days, London in 1967, Seattle grunge explosion, etc. These are not disputed in a historic sense. I would add Knoxville 1980-83 in there somewhere, not because it even comes close to equaling those other places and times, but because it was similar to them in spirit in it’s own tiny tiny way. I would have like to have been in SF in 66, London in 67, or in the Be-Bop explosion in NYC after WW2, or New Orleans at the birth of Jazz. I like quick and exciting musical evolutions. I wasn’t in those places, but I was here in 80-83 and did see an amazing transformation occur in sleepy Knoxville. It will have to do.
Now, here is where I have to stress that the music that came out of that period is no better than what’s going on in Knoxville now, with the possible exception of Balboa. Other than that, every single person in the scene in that time went on to do much better stuff later. From a personal point of view, I can tell you the songs I wrote in 81 were mostly stupid and not that well developed though on occasion they were executed OK. Also, I wouldn’t want to go back and relive that period again. It was fun and amazing, but things really got a lot more interesting for me *after* that, in terms of music and creative projects. I didn’t even start touring until 86, which was when Smokin’ Dave got it’s sea legs.
There were some unique things about that early era though:
Nothing quite like it had come before. Similar things had, mabye more interesting things, too- and I am sure the hippies have an exciting story to tell about Kent State era Knoxville. (And Streaking!)
Punk Rock was new only once in Knoxville, and that’s when it was. If you are saying ’so what?’ well I agree. But it’s an interesting fact, I reckon. By all means, folks should never start a punk band just because it’s not new any more. Add your own twist. It’s as good for the musician as it is for the audience.
And for the people who were there- it was amazing because kids from various schools (and wherever) converged in a very quick and organic way. There may have been two or three underground kids from Powell, a couple from Bearden, several from Doyle, a few bunches of misfits from UT, local folks from here and there, all uniting in this common cause and tiny revolution. Without a plan and much knowledge of what was going on.
The Balboa shows were the center point and everybody danced like crazy. It wasn’t just kids, there were real live adults, outcasts, philosophy professors, UT music staff, nearly homeless types, artists, etc. Truly, if you were of the mind that different is good and the status quo was ridiculous, you were welcome. Or if you were just curious, you were welcome. It all felt ‘all for one’ - even if just for a brief period. It was small enough to feel that way. You didn’t stand in the back and talk, everyone participated. It was social but music and art where front and center while they were happening.
Jul 7th, 2008
