Hey, Christina Rees writes like a beautiful white-trash poet. Her big article on our little joint ["Rock bottom," May 28] will be quoted (probably incorrectly) for weeks around here. And sure, it was lofty and exaggerated and a little too romantic to be Denton-esque, but it was sure appreciated. By the way, what about poor Collin Carter, manager extraordinaire and drummer of Check, Lil Grizzly, et al? you should be ashamed of yourself for not mentioning our little Gatti's musician/mascot.
Brandi
Via e-mail
To be straight, I really don't read the Observer much. I only pick it up when there isn't a political or social problem staring at me in the face. But when I caught a glimpse of a story about Denton's punk rock scene in a small box on the corner of the cover, I thought that the Observer was finally hitting home. I am a student at UNT and have several friends who are in various punk bands in Denton. I feel that Christina Rees' "Rock bottom" gives a drastically realistic portrayal of the Denton (punk) music scene. Thank you, Observer, for giving me something that I can sink my teeth into!
James McAfee
Via e-mail
I saw your article on Gatti's and had to smile. Just last weekend, I was allowed to take over the basement for a night for my 21st birthday party. I asked them if I could have some bands play, and they said, "No problem, we have bands here all the time." I knew this, because I had seen bands there before but had heard they quit.
Because of their openness, two bands got to perform for the first time (Fluoroscopic Kid and The Roommate), as well as one bandChomskythat's always had a bit of a hard time finding an audience in a town that's a little pop-shy, and made some new fans and entertained some old ones.
The only thing I can say is I think they should make downstairs bigger, and I hope I have the pleasure of working with them all next year. I already know other people who are planning the same thing.
Definitely a group of people in Denton who deserve commendation.
Andrew Hime
Via e-mail
Chicken-fried Lolita
That was an awesome write-up on LeAnn Rimes ["'Blue' it," May 28]! You had me laughing out loud with that one. Great job! Keep it up.
Anonymous
Via e-mail
Flying low
Reading "Is this any way to run an airport?" by Ann Zimmerman [May 28] awakened the pugilist in me. But I can only hope that the suit Robert Crews has filed against the airport makes it to court and to a judge who will be wise enough to give those board members and airport staff the lashing they deserve.
Mr. Crews' plight is a sad, sad testament to the consistent and deliberate efforts put forth to destroy and/or prevent a black person's progress. And sadder still is the fact that such behavior occurs daily to countless others in countless ways, affirmative action or no.
A $17 million judgment won't make up for what apparently was an opportunity to further prove his ability to create a more successful business through expansion, but he certainly deserves to be compensated for financial losses and mental anguish.
Ruth Sherman
Via e-mail
The article on the Dallas airport was well done. I would like more information on the actions of Mayor Kirk in regard to the attorney Kenneth Walker.
Claudia Ward
Via e-mail
Editor's note: The Dallas Observer will continue to follow Mr. Crews' story.
Sinatra's staying power
What did you expect after all these years?
Frank Sinatra ["The Voice goes silent," May 21] should be remembered for the person he was during the best times of his career, and not recognized as a frail old man as was so elaborately expressed in the article. Instead of exploring the negative, take a look at the positive. Sinatra had the balls never to quit. He's played more venues than most rock-and-roll stars. And he had the quality and strength to last as a singer and entertainer through the decades.
Eric Davidson
Via e-mail
Rip 'em to shreds
I've read many reviews from various critics at the Dallas Observer, and one thing comes to mind...who do you people like? It seems like every time I pick up an Observer, one band after another is being ripped to shreds. Do you require any kind of love for music in the people you hire to write these critiques?
It sounds more like somebody who is pissed off about having to write another damn music critique, so they bash 'em. I understand that there are a ton of bands out there that really do suck, but they can't all suck.
I am part of a local band, and I can't wait to hear what your "critics" have to say about our music.
Jef King
Via e-mail
Gary Numan's other two fans
I had the great fortune to see Gary Numan [Music listings, May 21] in Seattle during his North American Exile tour, and I'm wondering what part of the desert you had your head in when you listened to Exile. Gary is not riding anyone's coattails. The mere fact that Marilyn Manson (a genius in his own right) and the Foo Fighters are recognizing and paying tribute to him is proof that the music he creates is not merely incredible but longed for!
So get your head out of the sand and try listening to Exile or Sacrifice. The genius of Gary's talents is only getting stronger. His music is emotion and passion--something many of today's artists simply lack and will never achieve!
Tamatha Mitchell
Via e-mail
Zac Crain--what are you talking about? Exile has a particularly unique sound and vibe to it. If Gary has ripped off ideas and sounds from other people, then it's been done in a particularly clever and inventive way. Anyway, nothing's completely original--how can it be?
Liam Howlett (Prodigy maestro) would also disagree with you here. He phoned Gary only recently, which is months after the release of Exile here in the U.K. So he obviously liked what he heard.
Simon Everest
Via e-mail
Yardstick up the butt
I'm glad I don't live in Dallas. If I did, I'd have to walk down your rhinestone-encrusted streets in fear of running into Keith Moerer and having to pound him--or at least force him to listen to the music of his favorite band, Ben Folds Five [Music listings, May 14].
Moerer's comments regarding the band were incendiary, made even more so by the fact that this officious ass had no idea what he was talking about. While I'm sure the band and all its fans are dreadfully sorry that they can't be like Keith Moerer, dress like Keith Moerer, and look like Keith Moerer, suffice it to say that the yardstick up the butt would cause problems for the majority of us. Keith can take his vast resources of musical knowledge and his impressive talent for hearing good sounds (right, Keithy) and join them with the aforementioned measuring device. Plenty of room up there...
Dan Cohen
Via e-mail
