Look here...

at this plowed sumbitch. Read on, from The Paper.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/usa/2934495/Kiefer-Sutherland-has-boozy-night-out-in-London.html

Well played Sutherland. While not yet rising to the basic qualifications for my Great Drunks segment, this act of hubris and folly is noted.

Being a scion of Hollywood and small screen royalty, Sutherland inherits some acting chops. Paparazzi are thus presented a rich gold mine.

Coincidentally, yours truly thinks his old man kicks...er...shows some serious ass. Iconic, people. One of the very best.

Sneak Peek - Latitude 35

About 1 week to go before Market Square welcomes its newest bar, Latitude 35. We're ready. This place is going to be NICE! Here are some random pictures that may give an idea of what to expect but honestly they do not do the place justice. Everything in the building is brand new with the exception of the old downstairs bar that they've refurbished. If you look closely at the menu pics you can see the prices are reasonable and the dinner menu (not pictured) is also affordable. In no particular order:

Big table at entrance:

New beer lines:

Downstairs near the old bar area:

Downstairs bench seating:

Downstairs:

Brand new kitchen:

Breakfast menu:

Late nite menu:

Old downstairs bar:

Tables & chairs:

Up bar:

Up bar black granite:

After hours beer:

Up bar taps, tv:

Upstairs bath (the ladies room downstairs is nicer!):

One of the VIP areas:

Class

Let's face it, who among us has it? To be fair, I know that the few of you that read us- are among the truly hip and 'with it' clique. The rest of us fall into the 'full of shit' clique. The line is quite thin.

Anyway. Approximately ten days to the opening of Latitude 35 in Market Square. We've blogged on it before, made mention of our friends in the know, and paid early visits. By Jupiter's Cock it should work. Apart from the main area, we are told by management that party rooms and banquet-style areas seating 50-150 are available for the right coin.

Dress is emphasized. I don't say it often, but let's get out the good clothes you damn mendicants.

Make Room Marie

It appears these places just keep cropping up anywhere and everywhere. Not that I’m complaining because who doesn’t want more places to buy beer. Downtown and the central city in general are growing with shopping options including tasty alcohol. While biking on the outskirts of downtown just past Regas and approaching Tennessee Valley Bicycles on Magnolia I noticed a familiar sign on the building next door.

Public House Pub is on the clock. I don’t know if that applies here but I’ve been listening a lot about the upcoming NFL draft, which we here at DK have identified as a major weekend of boozing. Consider your pro team’s future with the draft then throw in Rossini Festival, KRTI’s birthday and the Orange and White game, well, there are plenty of drinking occasions piled one upon another. Try not enjoying a cold beer or glass of wine walking in the street downtown surrounded by a medieval fair of sorts including actors, musicians and the blessed food & beverage vendors providing their goods (Italian sausages). That all happens in a couple more weeks though.

Where was I going? Oh, PHP opening next to TVB on Magnolia is only a few doors down from Marie’s Olde Towne Tavern. So who knows if they’ll be going after the same customers? Might Marie’s loyal patrons venture a drink next to the bike shop? Will the new establishment bring a peloton of people who have never been this side of town, much less Marie’s? And isn't the word pub short for public house in the first place? Stay tuned.

More Music From Lt. Rocka

Yes sir, Lt. Rocka is up to his old tricks, mixing beats and mashing music from all generations with his very own unique style. Visit here to download Episode 15. Last evening I listened about half way through before I was called away for an impromptu drinking session so I haven’t heard all of it yet, but so far so good. Now, it’s one thing to go to the bar for a few cheap pints on a Tuesday (TND) as we often do. It’s completely different if by the end of the night your bartender is off duty and ready to drink, plus you run into “birthday girl” and shots are consumed. All of a sudden your tab is triple your original budget and the next morning your head is pounding and your eyes are on fire. So thanks LVL, I feel like hell today. Anyway, enjoy the music:

Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers vs. The Zombies – Time of the Season
The Hood Internet – Decalogue
Jamaica – I Think I Like You 2
Yeasayer – O.N.E.
Etta James & Sugar Pie Desanto – In The Basement
Hot Chip – One Life Stand
Cults – Go Outside
Daft Punk – Megamix 1 [DJ Hero]
The Hood Internet (Dr. Dre vs Class Actress) – Nuthin’ But a Journal Thang
Timbaland feat Chris Cornell – Part of Me (Grand Theft Auto Remix)
J Dilla – Workinonit
Brian Eno and David Byrne – Regiment
Local Natives – Sun Hands
The Phenomenal Handclap Band – 15 to 20
The Beatnuts – Confused Rappers
First Rate People – Girls Night
INXS - One Thing (Nikko V Club Mix)
Black Devil Disco Club – On Just Foot
Charlotte Gainsburg (produced by Beck) – IRM
The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
T-Bird and The Breaks – Monkey in the Tree

Hippie / Music Fest

AKA Fleta Fest. The following information was sent to me via email and I must disclose that I’ve never been to this event, however I have been to River John’s Island many, many drunken times. It is a great location away from “city life” and a perfect spot to relax, let yourself go and have a good time. Links are posted with directions, maps, ticket information, musician lineups, photos, etc. They are very excited about this event as you can tell by the 500 or so exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!

River John’s Island, just out outside Maryville, TN. Is the location of this year’s third annual “Fleta Fest”, held this coming May 14, 15, & 16th! “3 days of music and fun on a 3 acre island!!” There will be 20 bands in three days on only one stage. Accessible by car, you can drive right up onto the island and car camp (no big RV's please!) Also in the case of spring showers, there is a big pavilion on the island where everyone can gather for an intimate performance as the show goes on! In addition to the pavilion, we will have two huge tents set up as additional shelter. This year we are allowing coolers as a consolation for the economy being so difficult, but we will have some incredible food vendors on the island too! Come celebrate Spring and a fresh jumpstart for a great Summer festival season! Remember this is a semi-primitive campsite so bring your grills and tents. There will be one bonfire, so if you want a fire at your campsite bring one of those metal things in which to contain it!! There is electric on the island but it's use is limited to a central location.

Pam Munson will set up her massage therapy tent and we hope to have some hippie bead vendors as well. Ta Dye 4 Ink will set up to sell and let the festival goers make their own tye dye shirts. Julie Costner (local Maryville artist) has done the art work for the logo this year! Pope’s Garden Center located in Maryville (and Knoxville) will provide tropical plants throughout the island!

This year will be better than ever! I checked the Farmer’s Almanac and we will have less precipitation than average, as opposed to last year having substantially more than average! In addition we will have more than a thousand square feet of shelter around the stage so that the show goes on rain or shine! Two years ago during a light spring shower everyone huddled under the large shelter and it made the show nice, cozy and intimate. This festival is growing and getting better every year! A new segment called "Short Sets" will feature up and coming artists as a prelude to the evening shows!

The line up so far:

Brent Thompson Band
Cutthroat Shamrock
Hudson K
Stripmall Ballads
Ben Maney & Countless Sheep
Jessica Dawn
Ganacita
Kirk Fleta Band
Terry "Teep" Philips
Majority of Names
Richard Douglas
Alex Thompson
Fish Sticks
Emory Cannon
Scott McMahan
Ni Crow
Brad Blackwell
Ben DeBerry
Luke Gitchel

Kirk and the festival!

Well

Yeah, I know. Deep subject right. Ziiinnnnnnnggggg.

In any event, Mackey will have to lead you here from now on. You see, I've made a few personal decisions that I'll admit are in conflict with my modest position here. I believe that as I've gotten a little older, a little more mature that I can't continue to drink without abandon or concern for social consequences. We've all got to grow up sometime, and I'm long overdue when it comes to this. Sure, owning my home and vehicle...holding down a steady job all those things are signs of responsible sane living. Getting torched in the morning for drunk breakfast? Not so much. So, I've got to bid you guys farewell. Maybe you'll see me at your local coffee shop or yard sale(if it's a weekend.) Best wishes, and maybe you should ask yourselves the hard questions with which I have been challenged.

I'm just fucking with you. Happy April Fool's Day assholes. If anything, I'm going to pour it on. Pun intended. April is a great month for drinking in Knoxville. Festivals, festivals, and more festivals. King Randall's always classic birthdays. Spring has fucking sprung. As we extend into year three around here, you'll find more bar reviews and more updates from familiar establishments. Cheers, ladies.