NXNW Finals: October 1997

The band lineup went as follows…

Leraine Horstmanshoff

Sun Masons

Porno Carpet

Elbo Finn

Mary Tebbs

Atomic Deluxe

Jackmormons

Sofa

First off, let me say this was the best “showing” of finals bands we have seen so far in the NXNW, or SXSW. The only thing missing was we only got to hear Megan’s voice as she was the MC ‘noire… Would have liked to hear her belt out a few with any of the bands. Megan rules. Even though she did her best to make me blush, and then (a week later) tried to make me wreck my car going down 1st South.

Highlights of the evening? Well, got to meet Marty Renzhofer of Trib fame. (whew hoo) Got to sit by A.T. the Alternative Terrestrial. Bill Boyd of KRCL gave us the quote of the night (skip to the end of the story). We got free pizza. Drink tickets! Yeah, drink tickets. That lasted for about 25 minutes. Adam Sorensen drummed in two different bands. Tracy and Mary dancing – that was special. Tracy and Megan boob shooting the judges — that was extra special. Oh yes, and some weeny called me a bitch. Very original.

As for the Salt Lake Weekly crew, they did a great job. ‘Grats to John and Patti.

So anyway, we are sitting there ready for this “large ass show” to begin, and out of nowhere steps up Leraine Horstmanshoff. We’d never seen her before, and apparently that makes us stupid. She was outstanding. No one touched her on originality, charisma, delivery, you name it. She should have won. No question. I would like to take this chance to tell all the other judges how stupid you are for not giving her ALL 10’s on your ballots.

Next up… Sun Masons. These guys need to change their name. They are a good three-piece  band, but the bassist/vocalist/keyboardist carries the band, and makes it obvious that he is doing so. Also, your songs were well written, but they are all too long. Get to the point and drop the keys man. It is doing more harm than good.

Porno Carpet. If there was a category for best name, these guys would win. If there was a category for a band that gets better the longer they play, these guys would win. Porno Carpet does not take this shit so seriously, and that was blatantly apparent through the set. They were kind of Porno-Chili-Pyro-Korn-Jam. Porno Vedder did a little dance, Porno Frampton broke out the voice box. These guys raised the energy level immediately. Then I needed some Excedrin. My only complaint was when Porno Vedder took off his hat.

Elbo Finn. This band took themselves WAY TOO SERIOUSLY. That was obvious by the way they tried to seem not serious. It didn’t work. Neither did the acoustic guitarist pulling imaginary gophers out of the sky. This band also needs a haircut for identity purposes. I don’t want to sound like I hated Elbo Finn because they have much potential for good songwriting, but they looked like they were trying really hard to be in a geek MTV video. And EVERY song had a 8 bar single bass drum break. The CD is better.

Mary Tebbs probably was the smartest. She had the best drummer, Adam Sorensen, and the best guitarist of the night. Matt Sarradet. No question. Subtle. Didn’t play too much, and when he stepped up he was right in the pocket. Also the category for Best Intro goes to MT for the gospel-ish intro to that bluesy song to which I don’t know the name. She also made a strong argument (along with Leraine) for a SONGWRITING CATEGORY. Songwriting and originality ARE NOT the same thing. Change it next year. Mary’s songs were some of the best I heard.

Atomic Deluxe was a fave of many people at the shot. Lara Jones is a 50’s honky tonk dive born too late. This band poured gas all over the stage and busted out the flame-thrower. Hot damn! Shorty and the new crew just blew everyone’s doors off before they knew what hit them. Atomic apparently lost by two points to…

The Jackmormons. Well, Jerry Joseph continues to prove that he also is one of the best songwriters around with his ballady, gritty approach to what some idiots are calling “alternative roots.” Whatever. This is a rock band. And even though JR looked like he was still blown away by Atomic Deluxe (he was later quoted as saying “we were blown away by Atomic Deluxe”) they kept a captivating hold on the audience and the judges. That’s why they won. People like to be captivated.

Sofa… I felt really sorry for these guys. For one thing, EVERYONE knew the winner had been chosen before they played a note. Then they stood around for fifteen minutes checking the amps, checking the hair, checking the guitarists leopard skin pants… Play man! This band sounds contrived and unoriginal. Sorry, but that’s the way I saw it. The unfortunate fact is that they are all talented. They just didn’t pull it off.

As for Bill Boyd’s quote of the night?…

“Hey! Where are the hookers and blow?” —Maxx

Read more about the 90s music scene in SLC:
Vans Warped Tour: July 1997
Here’s Some Local Music: December 1996

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