Flyer Profile: TIMBER!
Fayetteville’s music scene has never been one to be judged at face value. Dickson Street, in all its glory and history, is but just one piece of the puzzle. Anyone who spent countless nights in the basement of JR’s Lightbulb Club on Block Street or who was fortunate enough to ride the wave of the first incarnation of Clunk Music Hall can attest to that.
With both of those venues a thing of the past, however, the DIY scene and as some would argue, the more creative of this area’s musicians seem to have been stuck in limbo for a few years now as it anxiously moves from house to house in hopes of finding the next Chris “Clunk” Selby – someone who’s willing to risk a little (OK, a lot) for the sake of Fayetteville’s underground music scene.
Saturday night shows at Cheers on College (courtesy of David’s Pegasus frontman Barry Brinegar) are the latest in the series of attempts in the past few years at a Clunk-era revival here in Fayetteville. Just read the Booking FAQs on the Cheers Myspace page to get a better idea.
Tonight’s show at Cheers is the CD release of an album four years in the making by TIMBER!, a project by current KXUA 88.3FM station manager, Stuart Feild. The album comes with a pair of 3-D glasses and features all 3-D artwork. In other words, Stuart isn’t effing around.
Also on the bill is the debut by Brian Wolf (Kicker Knot) and John Gardner as Unit Ed.
We asked Stuart some questions. He answered:
Fayetteville Flyer: What’ve you been listening to lately?
Stuart Feild: I just started doing a show on KXUA on Saturdays from 4-6 called After The Fact. It’s all post punk and new wave music from 1977-1984. That is the kind of music I listen to now almost exclusively. My favorites are Liquid Liquid, A Certain Ratio, Bush Tetras, EGS, Pere Ubu, Y Pants, and pretty much anything else off Factory Records, or 99 Records.
FF: Are you from Fayetteville?
SF: I’m from Little Rock, but I have lived in Fayetteville since 2002. I moved here a week after Clunk Music Hall closed.
FF: What do you think of the Fayetteville music scene as compared to a couple of years ago?
SF: Anything that is worth seeing is done DIY now, no one really wants to make a decent investment in our music, all the money is in terrible frat boy cover bands, rip off bands clawing at what was going on in the rest of the world 3 years ago, and karaoke. Tons and tons of nauseating karaoke. House shows dominate the real scene. The music you hear in the bars of Dickson does not represent the true creativity of Fayetteville. If you want to see real artists you have to be in someone’s basement or living room, and there is always the fear that the cops will shut that down any minute. The real scene in Fayetteville is rebellious renegades operating at a loss, for nothing but the passion for something new and innovative.
FF: How long have you been working on your album? Your whole life?
SF: I have played music most of my life, been in lots of different bands and involved in more porjects than I can remember. TIMBER! is about four years old and that is how long I have been working on the new CD.
FF: What do you use to make your music? Any specific software you couldn’t live without?
SF: I primarily use outdated software because it is the easiest to trick and use in ways that weren’t intended. I primarily use Cool Edit Pro and an ancient version of Fruity Loops. But most of my music I make with just a microphone and whatever is at hand, and then just layer as many tracks as I can. A typical song has over a hundred.
FF: Where’d the 3D art for your album come from?
SF: I created it using digital photographs and a special layering technique in photoshop. You can find it online pretty easy. It’s called an anaglyph, and usually used for arial photography.
FF: Do you ever play your own music on KXUA? If so, is that weird? Just mentioning my own band here on the Flyer is kinda strange.
SF: It’s strange, but I have to suck it up and admit to myself that it’s one of the few venues available to me. I try to keep the two separate as much as possible though.
FF: What other local musicians should people check out?
SF: I’d say in general just about anything that isn’t habitually on Dickson Street. The Local Show Fridays on KXUA is the best place to find good local music because it stays away from the horrible stuff that seems to dominate around here. Specifically I like The Kicker Knot, The Memphis Pencils, An A+ Set Up, Fire Don’t Care, Egyptr, Color Party, Dustin Krien, Dr. Blaine S Mosley, and anyone else making music for themselves. The only music worth checking out on Dickson is that dude that wails on the steps of the Walton Art Center. He rocks me to sleep every night.
Click below to hear “The Way We Touch” by TIMBER!
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Comments
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chris-os
March 21, 2009
I’m there!
Total Bastard
March 21, 2009
For a couple months, I’ve thought it was Knicker Knot.
Like “Don’t get your knickers in a knot”.
Hugh Grant movies…
Hugh…
<3
Hmm?
March 21, 2009
If it’s not happening in a basement or someones living room it’s not worth listening to? Dude, you’re a snob. Lots of great bands play in bars here in town. It’s attitudes like yours that choke out music scenes. I was coming to your show tonight, but after your snobby comments I think I’ll go elsewhere.
Barry Brinegar
March 21, 2009
Snob or doesn’t eat crap? Such a fine line.
Hmm?
March 21, 2009
and by the way he’s playing in bar tonight. I guess he sucks now that he’s left the living room.
yrfuneralmytrial
March 21, 2009
Bravo. Stuart perfectly illustrates everything that has been WRONG with Fayetteville’s underground music scene the last 5 years or more. Insular, incestuous and with the exception of a few short-lived gems now and again, largely talentless. Someone would have to be daft to invest real monies into a scene that largely has no support once “free” is taken out of the equation.
Scott Stapp of Creed
March 22, 2009
I listened to the song. The music itself was pretty catchy. It is obvious that the musician spent a lot of time carefully selecting the sounds to be used. The song had a really good beat that got me dancing in my chair. The funky drumbeat, nifty guitars, electronic percussion, and bright-sounding piano or keyboard notes were all very pleasant when put together. It was very fun music, great for having a good time to. My family and I all enjoyed the music. We listed to the song several times. However, I do have to say I take issue with the subject matter. I don’t think it’s necessarily right for a musician to be so open about their sexuality when it comes to the lyrics. Singing about how to “turn on” a girl… I don’t know. Does the singer really need to be so crude? When I grew up, songs were more innocent, and I think it makes for a better song all in all. We don’t need to know all the details about an artist’s sex-life when trying to listen to a fun song!!! :)
The man
March 22, 2009
Even I think that guy’s a dick.
Boggy Creek Creature
March 22, 2009
My, he’s sassy!
And i’ve known quite a lot of snobs who’ve eaten crap at least once in their careers
matty-atty
March 22, 2009
You guys are way too sensitive.
roger
March 22, 2009
i prefer house shows. not to say that every band that plays house shows is great. to me, the lines have been blurred and scenes co opted, etc… so it’s impossible to comment on, and is boring to talk about. i’ve seen some bad house shows and some bad bar shows. the songs have to speak for themselves, not the location…………… but can’t we all agree that a band vs. band, playoff style kickball championship is the only way to resolve this issue?
Boggy Creek Creature
March 22, 2009
Yay! Kickball!
Total Bastard
March 22, 2009
What about Hosta?
They kind of rule. .NO moRE ViDEO GaaAAMES>
Mose Schrute
March 22, 2009
Not really my style of music but I do have to give the one they call Stuart props. It must be tough having to live in fear of your crazy house shows being shut down by the cops AT ANY MINUTE! I mean geez! These guys really are renegades. Stuart, if your next house show gets busted, I’ve got a barn (outside of city limits) at my beet farm that you guys can play at.
Barry
March 22, 2009
TB, Hosta is pretty great. Catch them at Cheers April 11th with the ****tards and What Army. Back to the topic at hand, the Timber! show was awesome. Snob or no, (we are talking about the station manager of KXUA after all, quality control folks) nobody does or could do what Stuart does on-stage. The people in attendance and on the bill were almost exclusively involved with or founders of house venues and underground promotion, and they were all seasoned Timber! fans. Unit Ed, Dustin Krein, and Wolfenstein 3-D gave performances that normally wouldn’t be seen outside of someone’s living room, which is a shame because it was all brilliant. There certainly could have been some more fresh faces…was there a counter counter-culture boycott? Now who’s a snob? But then again, we wouldn’t want Timber! going mainstream would we? Finally, I have to say I’m surprised that Creed found his lyrics too risque. We’re a good five years into the utter dominance of raunch culture. When did you grow up? It would have to have been pre-Stones. Perhaps it’s the genuine sexuality, not the “skeet-skeet” shock value inherit in the music of today that has you hot under the collar. I recommend Timber’s song Sex, the only lyric is “sex”, for something less intense.
Total Bastard
March 22, 2009
Not bad. Bet the live show was fun.
Cameron
March 22, 2009
What Roger said. Kickball is the only way to settle the Dickson vs. House shows dispute.
Good interview. I don’t know about these blanket statements like “If you want to see real artists you have to be in someone’s basement or living room,” but oh well. Timber! is a good band, I’m glad Stuart is making his music. I can leave it at that.
George
March 23, 2009
Don’t hate the messenger here. Stuart makes a good point. He’s really knocking the stuff that is “habitually on Dickson St.” There are good bands that pop in and out of the bar scene. The problem is the regular bands…and that is a product of what the crowds want. It’s not so much the bar owners fault. If the crowds would come to support good original music, they would book the bands. You can’t expect a bar owner/manager to consistently lose money because they want to support the local scene. There are only so many martyrs out there willing to die for the cause (e.g. Clunk).
We are making strides. Crown & Barrel is helping. They’ve been drawing good crowds while still stepping out with new and innovative music. That’s just my perception. They may be losing their ass, but it seems to be healthy.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em…the students have to drive the music scene in a town like ours. If they want to listen to crap then crap is what we shall get.
@Scott Stapp – Dude, if u want to listen to show tunes and inspirational hymns then that is your prerogative. You should probably check out some Jon Mellencamp. Maybe more your style.
roger
March 23, 2009
i second that last one. not to mention we need to move forward with local music, and away from dickson street. i like to play dickson st., we play at george’s soon. but serious change needs to happen with local bands stepping their game up and playing different spots around town to different people, and hopefully getting everyone involved. i encourage everyone to support places like CHEERS. they are booking the best variety of shows right now.
Total Bastard
March 23, 2009
Y’all are just act like you don’t like him ’cause you know it turns him on.
Scott Stapp of Creed
March 23, 2009
Is that a threat, George? Because I WILL listen to Mellencamp and you know? I will enjoy it. In fact just yesterday I was thinking about how pleasant it would be if all the bands on Dickson Street and in everyone’s garage just put down the bong for once and tried to sound like a cross between John Cougar and the Dave Matthews Band. Rootsy, funky, fresh!
sofresh-n-sogay
March 24, 2009
He gots some Kayne spunk. Too bad his music doesn’t live up to the “true creativity” of the house show scene. No apology here, just not digging the music or finding anything new in it, or the (paraphrasing) I’m so cool I only listen to music that was created before I was born holier than thou hack-douche attitude.
Dickson doesn’t offer a lot that I am personally interested, but this guy’s approach is definitely not the way to go about changing things. Nonetheless, there are good reasons some bands don’t make money, and this one is self-evident.
Total Bastard
March 24, 2009
We should all move to San Diego. I hear they be keepin it real fo sho.
Plus apparently our weather blows. It has lately.
Jack Pierce;DEA
March 24, 2009
After listening to his tune, I realized that this guy doesn’t deserve all of this attention (good or bad). He doesn’t even deserve to wipe the nether-regions of DIY greats – like R. Stevie Moore or Daniel Johnston – with this poor excuse for music/art. It’s garbage. I certainly will be sacraficing attendance at killer house parties if there is a chance that this poser might be beating his drum.
-jp
Barry
March 25, 2009
Hell is other people on the internet. Jack Pierce, you really think Timber is a poser? What the f#ck have you ever done? I sure as sh#t don’t recognize your name. And if the guy from Creed wants us to put down the bong and sound like Dave Mathews, maybe we should all just die right now. Sacrifice yourselves. Sacrifice attendance. Just please, please, please stop existing.
Anna
March 26, 2009
Did you mean Color Club instead of Color Party? or is there a fayetteville band called Color Party? also, I agree with everything you said stuart.
Jack Pierce;DEA
March 26, 2009
Terribly sorry, Barry. And we are all supposed to know you how…? TIMBER!’s PR guy? I’d rather do a naked cartwheel through a hornets’ nest than listen to someone’s opinion who actually supports this guy (however, we can agree Stapp can shove his DMB fetish. It’s over, man. DMB is dead; if it ever was alive).
Barry, Barry, quite contrary. Don’t be an elitist pig like this guy. Have an opinion. Don’t be a part of this proselyte cattle movement that finds mediocrity appealing/entertaining.
Total Bastard
March 26, 2009
I can’t tell if its awful or if its genius to tell the truth.
Kind of like how if I had heard Nirvana Bleach, without the benefit of having already heard Nevermind and In Utero, I don’t know if I could have appreciated it the first time around.
At least he’s not trying to revive the 80s.
Is he?
yrfuneralmytrial
March 26, 2009
Unless I’m mistaken, I’d say Scott-Creed is having a laugh. Seems obvious to me but again, I could be wrong. By the way JP, thanks for the R. Stevie Moore turn on. I have to admit that it’s the first time I’ve ever heard him. Very cool little secret bit of rock n’ roll history there. Barry, ease up brother. Stu came on pretty strong with not much artistically to back it up. Hence, heat. However, in the words of any true DMB fan, “it’s all good”.
Barry
March 28, 2009
sorry, i get like that. Timber! is good, though. (sigh).
Dgold
April 4, 2009
Provocative comments Stuart. Interesting read. As far as the most typical party bands and huge sellers on Dickson, I can see where the impression comes from, but it’s obviously overstated in the interview. I’ll testify that a lot of great music outside the mainstream comes to Dickson Street places like George’s Majestic for national touring bands and many of the creative album-ready (well rehearsed) local bands; Walton Arts Center for occasional musical artistry in production levels you will never get in a house; GoodFolk Productions for the Americana underground (that counts as a house party show tho); the new up-and-coming Smoke & Barrel, and the porch of Smiling Jack’s for more locals. If you’ve honestly never been to GoodFolk then I think you need to go there before casting such a wide net on the area. Whatever genres you prefer, that place deserves nothing but respect. The younger house-party people should take a cue card from Mike’s methods.
That said, exaggerated critique aside, the house party underground is absolutely the real deal, Stuart’s right on. I certainly agree that is where a lot of the real, local, artistic, creative, visionary, futuristic, community, experimental music happens. The house parties are a fantastic cultural hidden gem of this town & testament to the power of music to motivate people, to organize and re-form community. In other words to DIY, do it yourself, to make it happen. The effort that goes into these events should be applauded & this alternative social environment for music should be encouraged by the city of Fayetteville.
Tom
April 6, 2009
I used to live in fayetteville and know full well nothing interesting will ever come from that culture-forsaken wasteland. the only thing for any true artist (like stuart or anyone else with anything to contribute to humanity) to do is to move into a place where the average person isn’t an illiterate conservative religious fanatic.
Jack Pierce; DEA
April 8, 2009
P*ss up a rope, Tom. Where do you live now? Salt Lake? Why are you reading *FAYETTEVILLE* Flyer if you think the town sucks? That is so sad, it’s beyond ironic. Fayetteville is certainly better off without you, toughguy.
a. brown
April 8, 2009
No, let Tom believe that Fayetteville *only* got good once he left. And heck, maybe it was improved by his absence.
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