In February 1993, my first published piece of quasi-journalism ran in Scope Magazine, the then-monthly alternative newsmagazine that would go on to morph into the Las Vegas Weekly, Greenspun Media’s gloss-covered, nightclub ad-filled alt-weekly. While working for Greenspun from 2004 to 2006, I was a regular contributor to the Weekly, covering everything from nightlife and music to business and education, but my crutch was always local music. I helped launch the bi-weekly “Loud!” column, which exclusively covered the Vegas music scene (I co-created a similar monthly feature for the CityLife a few years earlier).
So I suppose it isn’t too surprising that I’ve returned to the pages of the Weekly in this week’s issue with an article about the return of 1990s doom groove maker A Pig Named Jodi to the Vegas scene. It’s a story about the band’s homecoming that is as much a homecoming for me. To be honest, I haven’t spent that much time thinking about the local music scene outside of how to get my band, As Yet Unbroken, pushed to the top of it (Speaking of which, our new song “Almost Gone” maintained its spot as the most downloaded song on the Weekly‘s website AGAIN this week). But when arts and entertainment editor Spencer Patterson — with whom I worked previously at the paper before running off to launch Racket magazine — approached me about again covering local music for the Weekly, I quickly fell into a familiar place. I mean, sure, interviewing big rock stars is nice and all, but I feel much more like I’m doing something worthwhile by giving my scene brethren a little love in print.
So look for another story in (I believe) next week’s issue as well, and so long as I don’t get terribly distracted, there should be plenty more coming. And if you have any story ideas about Vegas-based bands, venues, producers, studios, etc., feel free to fling ’em my way.
As a self-proclaimed pack-rat, I must tell you that I still have many of the printed Scope newsmagazines in my garage-probably with many of the articles you wrote! In my late teens/early twenties when “Scope” was being published, I was desperate to connect to the then “alternative scene”, making regular visits to the Huntridge Theater and Cafe Espresso Roma, as well. Though, I never did see a Pig Named Jodi, reading that band name certainly brought me momentarily back to the days of doc marten boots and black/blue hair. I suppose that’s why I hold on to these “cool” publications from the past-to reminisce once in awhile…
I also have a ton of old issues of Scope, New Times, CityLife, Weekly, Mercury, etc. I spent nearly every night in and after high school at Roma, Copioh, the Huntridge, etc. I’m sure we must have run into each other a few hundred times without knowing it!
No doubt! Was a pretty small sub-group of adolescents/young adults around that time and not many great choices of places to hang out. Besides, of course, the little record stores (The Underground) and thrift shops (Vintage Madness was my favorite)….where I spent all of my money. At least now I can decorate the home with some of those really cool album covers!
Vintage Madness was great, and not just because discovering that led me to discover Enigma Cafe.
Please write about how Indie Krush throws parties for sex fiends and satanic indie deviants. Come this Saturday and check out Little Red Radio and Electric Valentine.
Sex fiends and satanic indie deviants, huh, Jason? Let me consider that. Won’t be able to make it on Saturday, though — previous engagements, of course.