His work in Wilco doesn't do him justice,this guy is badass!!

Yeah, he seems like he's held on a tight leash with Wilco, but I've been happy to see him finally get some recognition--I never thought he'd have the money to launch a full-on tour with any of his own projects. But hey, here he is.

I'm looking forward to this one...

Anyone here catch Nels with Banyan at 12 & Porter in about '01? That was fucking great! The dude has some skills for sure...

I saw him with Mike Watt and the Black Gang twice,this guy tore it up!!

Having the utmost respect for this dude's musical abilities (y'know... chops) he did kinda eff up one of my favorite bands.

At least Wilco appeals to more hippies now, which helps their cash flow and their chances of appearing on the cover of Relix.

Joe, for those who saw last night's show at the Basement, as I did, the argument could be made that Wilco "effs" up Nels Cline.

It was some of the most original, spellbinding and truly "indie" music you're likely to hear. At least indie in the sense of art for art's sake, with little concern for widespread acclaim.

And to somehow try to dismiss him with your "chops" comment...like somehow he's all technique and no art, well it's a common ploy among the indie crowd to explain away music they don't understand.

I'll be the first to agree that technique for technique's sake is lame, but that's not what Nels Cline is about at all. A lot of his playing is downright sloppy and punk (one of the reasons Thurston Moore is a big fan and collaborator), and much of it is simply spaced-out and lovely, with little flash. And if you didn't see it, well, that's contempt prior to investigation. I hope some other folks who attended last night's show will chime in.

I can totally accept if it's not your thing, but to dismiss it as "chops" is a bit wankerish.

And your "hippies" comment was sooo Indie Hipster 101.

Hippies! They're not COOL! get it?

I'm not a huge fan nor hater of hippies, but I will say they are much less knee-jerk judgmental about music, and they're capable of judging a band's music free and clear of that band's fan base.

All that said, I think your blog is great, and I appreciate your efforts to promote local music.

oops! I meant The Belcourt, not The Basement....

Joe if you only know this guy as the fill-in guitarist for Wilco then you should be a little embarrassed.

Nels is far from a "hippie",I think Wilco effs him up more than he effs it up. This guy is a very important guitarist in both punk and indie rock. Anyone who saw this show was certainly blown away like I was!

While, yes, Wilco is certainly how I know his guitar style, I was never embarrassed by that fact until about 7 minutes ago when Jack served my ass up on a silver platter.

That being my sole frame of reference, I stand by my opinion that his lead guitar cho... sorry, ahem - technique, is the top reason I don't really listen to Sky Blue Sky all that often, or rather at all.. Maybe I'd just grown to love the melodic precision of Summer Teeth and to the dirty, dirty skronks and dissonant, Youngian squeals coming from Tweedy's SG in between the two. Whatever it may be, Nels' guitar solos on Sky Blue Sky did not sit well with me. Of course, I though the songwriting was a little flat, too.

Though to his credit, Nels has always brought it onstage with Tweedy and Co. I've rocked out alongside plenty of tweaked-out-on-molly wookies at a number of Wilco shows. I'd usually just go get in the beer line during Side With The Seeds or You Are My Face.

And I'm sorry if taking pot-shots at hippies is wrong. I realize it's too easy (think fish in a barrel, but the fish are on drugs and the barrel is somehow made out of drugs and there are goo-balls floating it the water); I'll try to be a little more clever next time.

Besides, I certainly feel some solidarity with the unwashed dancing masses... I can share in the groove, my man. There are plenty of Widespread Panic songs I genuinely dig and wookies LOVE some Panic: C Brown, Walkin', Thought Sausage, Space Wrangler, Chilly Water, Travelin' Light, Coconuts, Action Man... there are others, but I think I've done enough already to damage my Indie Hipster Street Cred.

And yes, most hippies probably do have much broader tastes in music than yer boy here. I mean, Ween? C'mon. Seriously? I'm not 13.

At this point, I only seek out new music if I read a review and the writer references The Beach Boys, Zombies or XTC. I'm not proud, but I'm pretty narrow and jaded at this point. People like me should probably not have radio shows, maintain a music blog, book shows or run a bitchin' recording studio. Or maybe so... Oh Goddammit. I think I just became a suit. Fuck!

Anyway, bringing this all back home. Is it just me or does Nels Cline look like the the love child of Mike Grimes and John Bruton? Creepy.

Sorry to ramble, y'all. XO

Wow. Dude nobody is defending hippies here, you're the one calling people hippies. Your the one that likes Wilco anyway? Just don't be intimidated by the guy because he actually has technical understanding and ability on the guitar.

From what I have heard, Jeff plays most of the solos on SKY Blue Sky. COuld be wrong though...

This show was amazing, words could not even do it justice.

Joe,

I totally agree with you in regards to Nels contribution to Wilco. I think he is a stellar guitar player, emotive and inventive but at times while soloing he sounds like... trey anastasio of phish... it's about 48% overly jazz influenced for my taste and for what I want out of Wilco. I would much rather hear Tweedy solo which sounds like a wounded animal. That said the arrangement stuff and support stuff that Nels plays on many songs is pretty amazing and beyond the scope of what most side guitar players can offer up. I loved Jay Bennett's contributions as a producer but he was also, although in more of a classic rock style, a bit of a wanker on guitar. Perhaps Jeff really loves himself some straight up noodle-fest lead guitar...

I don't think anyone is intimidated by Nels technical understanding or ability. I'm in complete awe of what he can do, there are just times where I feel it's completely out of place in my concept of what Wilco should be. Too bad I have no say in it. I think it's plenty fair to judge Nels playing at least in some part based on Wilco, because that is where all this spotlight comes from. I mean who cares what Thurston Moore thinks is cool? He has put his stamp of approval on plenty of junk... Wilco has put Nels on a much higher profile so it's fair to comment on his contribution to the band.

Don't think Kyle or Joe saw Nel's show or they wouldn't be talking about Wilco. I'm sure Nels is just playing in Wilco to pay his bills and enable his solo thing.

Kyle...not exactly sure where you read that anyone cares what Thurston Moore thinks is cool. Maybe on another blog? Anyway, the Thurston Moore comment on this particular blog thread was in response to the fact that he was being somehow diminished for his technical prowess, and my point was that he's in fact often very raw, sloppy and punk, and in fact not concerned with technique so much as feeling and inspiration.

And to Joe and Kyle, I can totally accept your take on Nels' playing with Wilco. I haven't seen them play in a couple years, and haven't really kept up with the last couple of records. It is very possible that I might feel the same way if I listened. I can understand the desire to hear Tweedy's guitar solos instead, and think the "wounded animal" analogy is spot-on.

It may be a case of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

But I guess my whole point was that Nels has an enormous body of work that covers a broad musical range, and much of it is daring, strange, beautiful, odd, dissonant and so much more. It's definitely challenging stuff for some ears, and it's not for everyone. But to dismiss it as hippie noodly stuff is so off-base, as anyone who was at the Belcourt show can attest.

When I first heard that Nels had joined Wilco, I decided to give them another shot after decidedly not liking them for a while. What I found was that A Ghost Is Born seemed like Jeff Tweedy doing a Nels impression in more than one place on the record--especially the first song.

Then it surprised me to hear Sky Blue Sky, which wasn't like what was going on in A Ghost Is Born at all. Instead, I heard a few little nods back to Nels Cline Trio stuff--the first solo reminds me of something off of Silencer, but in a Silencer for Dummies kind of way. I had become a fan of Wilco by then and was just happy to hear that unmistakeable touch on the guitar combined with a Wilco record.

Found a recording of Nels' show in Knoxville last Friday, the night after the Belcourt, if anyone's interested:
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=516876

if your show is posted on etree, then you are a dirty hippie jam band.

Joe why don't you stick to music that you know about,the top 40 "indy rock" you play on your little radio show. Calling this guys a hippie is about the dumbest thing that someone could possibly say. You don't have a clue about him so you should keep your mouth shut.

Indy Rock? When did open-wheel F1 racing become a musical genre? Do tell, sir... what kinda music do you play on your radio show?

Oh and I never called Nels Cline a hippy. Let's work on your reading comprehension and retention skills, playa hater.

Joe did you not say that Wilco appeals to more hippies now because of Nels Cline,and that he ruined your favorite band. Do people have to be around your drumcircle passing a joint to understand what your talking about? I'm sorry,I didn't mean to question your genius because your the coolest d.j.in the whole world. What a fuckin joke you are.

Indy rock is way cooler than stock rock.

Nathan, you've obviously never listened to Joe's radio show. Apart from Superdrag, I don't think any of the artists he's played have ever gotten a sniff of any kind of chart, CMJ or otherwise.

both of you: listen to the show

Hank III allows taping. What a fucking hippie, eh? He'd eat your sorry ass for lunch. You might be surprised what you'd find on etree when you choose the option for filter out Phish and the Grateful Dead.

Actually, I'm quite the shitty DJ, but I do have fun.

Hey, I LIKE the Grateful Dead. (Bring on the hate, folks. Let's see how many more comments this post is good for.) And as it much as it will pain you to hear, the Grateful Dead were indie waaay before indie was cool. The hippies I can do without....

Jack, love the Dead too. Unfortunately, many Cream readers may only have been exposed to the Dead via the Kind Veggie Show, which has a singular talent of finding and highlighting only the worst Dead performances alongside the truly reprehensible pre-Herring pentatonic-minor flogging Widespread Panic. Weather Report Suite, anyone?

Flail...

The grateful dead started out as a very progressive band(playing very experimental and innovative music at the acid tests),but as with the "hippie" movement itself that innovation dwindled and became something else. The main problem that people have with "hippies" is they do not have any clear goals,the movement began as a reaction to the authoritarian government and its policy,and turned into a feel good excuse.

'Hippies' and 'Indie rock Hipsters'
are really one in the same. Both rely on daddy's money to support their respective forays
into the 'bohemian' lifestyle. How else do these folks have time to cultivate their images?
They both blindly follow what they heard someone else say is cool. That is to say, no original thoughts.
Really, the only difference is hair length (though that line, too, is becoming blurred) and the cut of their clothes. That and body odor...

I agree and it's funny that you say that they're the same. A good example is Joe Baine talking about going to buy a beer while the hippie kids are jamming out at the Wilco show. He smokes less pot and drinks more beer than they do and cuts his hair a little different so he thinks he's a lot different than they are.

I find it appalling that Joe Baine's "Indie Ghetto" has such disgusting racial overtones. "We Movin on Up",I guess you think it's funny to stereotype black people using "ebonics" as being stupid while you sit in your mom's basement running your little blog Joe. Is it entertaining to make fun of the situations of poor people who aren't dealt a better card in life who are struggling in the "ghetto". I guess we are are all just idiots that look the same and talk funny huh Joe?

Hippies are smelly
Instrumental music is difficult to appreciate
Indie Ghetto is obviously tongue-in-cheek
Joe Baine has forgotten more about music than any of you will ever know

Say what you will, sir. I have no interest in defending myself or my actions to some faceless prick on a music blog. If you just can't stop yourself from doing such, please have the balls to at least give your name when posting shit about me. I don't feel the need to hide behind a screen name, why must you?

Actually, if you truly have a problem with me or what I do, please email me at indieghetto at gmail.com and I'll gladly discuss your hang ups.

Really, I'm just glad you clicked over and read it. Maybe you'll even tune into the show tomorrow afternoon. Feel free to call in and request your own band, I really don't mind.

Hi Joe, I'm the one that posted. My name is Dwan Tyler, and I was turned on to this site by a friend. I ,being an African American male find your perspectives very interesting and would be happy to meet with you and discuss your problems with black people at any time or place. We could even meet in the "ghetto" if you wish since you think it is such a funny place. That would give you a chance to call me a "prick" to my face. Just let me know Joe.

Whoa, didn't see that one coming. I feel like Don Imus at the moment, though decidedly better looking.

Like I said Dwan, please email me and let's start the healing.

Oh and just for clarity, Indie Ghetto is a play on Elvis' "In the Ghetto", a pun which I ripped from Andrew J. Spaceman.

"We movin on up" is a play on Elvis? What about the guy at the computer in a gorilla mask,is that supposed to be funny? You want to talk about healing after you call me a "prick"? I'm glad you think this is funny because I don't. If your going to talk smack to people why don't you do something about it. Any time any place, just let me know Mr.Comedy, did you see that coming?

"Joe Baine has forgotten more about music than any of you will ever know"
Not to add to Joe's woes but he's that much of a music expert and only knows Nels Cline from Wilco? Ha ha ha ha ahha ha ha!?!! Yeah we should make him the resident music expert on this site. What a diphole.

I'm pretty sure "movin' on up" is a reference to The Jeffersons. And the monkey picture has nothing to do with the title of Joe's blog. If you'd read the post that accompanies the picture instead of just jumping to conclusions, you'd know that. I'd say you're making a mountain out of a molehill, but really you're making a mountain out of air. There is absolutely nothing about Joe's blog that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that he's racist.

Oh fuck it. Fine, I'll bite...

Actually, "Movin' On Up" is a reference to The Jeffersons (Y'know, "we finally got a piece of the pie"). Notice how it's spelled out over the cross streets of Music Row? Did you bother to read the description tag to the right of the page? The one that leads with "Rising up and out of the indie ghetto"? Keep reading. Do you see the metaphor I'm going for here? It's pretty simple, really.

I'm not literally comparing the socioeconomic struggles that face people born into urban poverty with those born into the middle class. That would be pointless and, well, completely offensive. I'm using, once again, a LITERARY DEVICE to make a point about how truly bizarre it is that there is a huge music industry here in Nashville that generates hundreds of millions of dollars a year alongside this insanely rich talent pool of musicians whose sounds skews to the rock and roll left. And unfortunately there is little-to-no intermingling between the two.

These people, this community, struggle to make a living, working shitty jobs to pay rent. Hell, most of y'all are probably there right now. Simply stated, my overarching goal is to get these people exposure and a paycheck, so they can focus on what they're great at and use their god-given talent to make a better life for themselves and those around them. Lofty, sure, but someone's gotta try? And we all know I'm not alone in such desires and endeavors. There are plenty of folks out there who are actually making headway towards these goals, far better than I. I'll refrain from naming any specific people, businesses or organizations, though as I would hate to tatter their good names by associating them with an obvious racist. And yes, I'm being Mr. Comedy with that.

Look, I'm sorry if my metaphor of choice offends you. You don't have to read it. Get over it. Move on. If race relations is your beef, then go find bigger fights to fight, with - y'know - actual racists. (I'll gladly help you deface that Nathan Bedford Forest statue on I-65... I've had to see that crap everyday for over 10 years).

But you might want to examine your own gut reactions to things and the impetus that drives them. Did you read the post that went along with that photo of the gorilla at the computer? Assuming you didn't, so here's the first paragraph:

"These days, any monkey or idiot man-child with a laptop can, and often does, start their very own music blog (you are reading this one, aren't you?). We all know there's plenty out there that doesn't warrant the energy expended to make a couple mouse clicks, so it's refreshing when a truly gifted writer decided to weigh in on the state of music."

Ever heard that idea that if you gave a monkey an infinite amount of time and a typewriter that it would eventually knock out a collected body of comprehensible text, say the collected works of William Shakespeare? It's a slight reference to that (known as infinite monkey theory), which, I'd hope, most folks had heard some sort of reference to before. If you'd have just taken four seconds to read half of that first sentence, maybe you'd not be so offended.

OK, enough. I was at my own shitty job almost 12 hours overnight, so I'm real fuckin' tired and ready to get some sleep.

-jbc

The fact that Joe Baine sympathizes and jokes about the statements made by Don Imus clearly show his feelings about African Americans. I guess the idea that some black people have actually made it out of the "ghetto" is not easy for you to comprehend is it Joe? I suppose it has to be a "minstrel comedy" like the Jeffersons for you to laugh at. If thats too difficult for you to understand maybe you should study the way black people have been portrayed in the American Media over the past 100 years. I know your blog and radio show aren't shit, but if I were you I would be constantly looking over my shoulder if I openly held the same views as you,which I suggest you start doing you racist piece of shit.

When one of these posts generates a million comments, I always like to start at the last one to see if it has anything to do with the actual article. Let's see, it's ended with accusations of racism, and it began with...Nels Cline??? Fantastic.

dwan, nathan chill, joe is not a racist, nor is he a mightier than thou hipster, ghetto originally referred to the plight of jews not blacks, not that it matters though, you obviously have an ax you've been wanting to grind. that's cool i guess, we all do. you're throwing more hate at him than you're accusuing him of having. sheesh

Gwiz guys? Can't people get along on here. I think both of you are in the wrong. Dwan I don't think he has the intentions of his site coming across in a negative way racially so calm down a little bit. Joe, if someone does misunderstand what your doing you shouldn't start attacking them, that is the worst thing you can do. Also making jokes about what Don Imus said is not appropriate to this type of situation, it just makes you look a lot worse. I commend you for starting your own radio show and blog but if you plan on having a career in the public eye you've got to grow some pretty thick skin because these situation will surely arise in the future. Regardless of whether someone misunderstands what your trying to say you have to be able handle it in a certain way. Especially a situation where a topic as heavy as racism is involved.