10 bands at Scenic Sounds Showcase

Some folks of a certain age will remember the old “Our Gang” and “The Little Rascals” short films during which Spanky and Alfalfa would gather the neighborhood kids together inside somebody’s barn and put on a talent show.

With little more than the idea and will to make it happen, they’d stage a pretty spectacular showcase with singing, dancing, acting and full costumes.

For some reason, Carl Foshay’s idea of showcasing 10 bands this weekend at the new Spot Athletic Arts Venue on Brainerd Road reminds me of those episodes. Foshay and about a half-dozen other folks noticed there seems to be more quality acts, especially full bands, in town than there are places to play right now and they decided to do something about it.

“I just wanted to make the original ( music) scene around here inclusive of everybody,” Foshay said.

Foshay said with t he closing of Rhythm & Brews a couple of years ago, local bands who play original music lost a key venue. He points out a real issue. While the local scene is filled with more really good musicians than I can ever remember, there are still very few true venues for bands to showcase what they do.

Musicians have found several nontraditional places to play, such as restaurants or via busking, but those don’t work for a full rock band.

“It’s hard for us to be able to do anything anymore, and t here is so much talent in Chattanooga. We need to embrace that. I hope it turns into more than a one- t i me Barry Courter thing,” he said of the event this weekend.

The event, Subkonscious Presents: Scenic Sounds Showcase, will take place Saturday, July 22, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and will feature just some of the local talent.

On the bill are Foshay’s band Subkonscious, Josh Driver and the Dixieland Playboys, Emerge, Beneath the Surface, Rushing Wind, Ashes Fall, Silver Tongued Devils, Tennessee Tremblers, The Scarlet Love Conspiracy and Jonny Monster.

Foshay said he plans to record the audio of each performance for the bands and Event Buzz Media will professionally videotape one song from each set. The footage will be provided to the bands, but will also be used for promotional use for the next one, if there is one. Taylor Fricks Photography will also be shooting the show.

Admission is $ 10 for this all-ages showcase.

The Spot is located at 4922 Brainerd Road near the Missionary Ridge tunnel, and is actually three venues or spaces in one. Open seven days a week, it’s mission is “foster physical health, local musicians and artists in Chattanooga.