May has turned out to be a very beautiful time for shows. I guess I should say, with the exception of the Pavement show, which suffered from chilly pre-Derby rain.

The first of the shows this past month was a three-band show that included Sensefield, Falling Forward, and Guilt. The show was supposed to take place at the new Cherokee Blues Club, but the new owners could not get insurance. The show was then moved, an hour before the doors were supposed to open, to Cliffhangers. Despite the chaos involved in moving it, the show turned out very successfully.

The Pavement show, which also featured Evergreen and Chicago's Cocktails, turned out well despite the treacherous rain. I think the rain chased away many of the people who wanted to see the show, but that's the risk of Cliffhanger's, an outdoor club.

On Derby Day there was a concert at the Rocket House, whose address I am not at liberty to announce since it is a residence. At this Derby party The Cutters, New York's Ruby Falls, and Rodan played. The Cutters represented a post-punk sound that was not alternative. The members consist of Jon Cook from Crain, Erica Bricking of Drinking Woman, and Todd Cook. Ruby Falls played a 45-minute set that left the partygoers feeling at ease. I really enjoyed Ruby Falls. With their abrasive guitars and melodic vocals the women in the group really won me over. Rodan followed Ruby Falls with a one-hour-and-twenty-minute super set. This was my first opportunity to see Rodan after the release of their debut album, so naturally I was very excited to see them. Rodan basically rocked the house apart, playing non-stop for 90 minutes.

On May 15 the management at the Cherokee Blues Club managed to fumble another all-ages show planned at their establishment. And once again Cliffhangers came to the rescue. The show featured a Lather reunion, a Metroschifter debut, a Pale Blue Star debut, and Telephone Man. Metroschifter opened with a nine-song set. Most of the songs were featured on the Metroschifter demo which was released two months previously on American Commercial, which is a division of Slamdek. Pale Blue Star followed, playing a tight set, but I think the band was having a difficult time hearing themselves onstage. Telephone Man played in the third spot, and played perhaps the tightest, loudest set they have ever played. Lather closed the night, playing mostly songs off their CD, which was released by Self Destruct.

In other news about the all-ages music scene, Guilt released a ten-inch record on Initial Records, which is available at ear X-tacy for the low, low price of $4.99. Falling Forward also released a record on Initial Records, which should be in stores soon.

Starbilly just recorded a new demo at D.S.L. studios, which was played on 105.9 WQMF on May 16. I do see WQMF getting more involved in the local music scene, which really makes me happy. Hopefully we will see them get even further involved as the year continues.

I guess my final note is about the article printed in The Courier-Journal on Saturday, May 14. I support [pop music critic] Jeff Puckett, as I always have, for his undying support of the local music scene. But Louisville's got more shining stars than Slint. I think a lot of successful local bands with unique sounds were left out of the article.

Thank you for your time.