Correction
Due to an incorrect press release, we mistakenly listed Nada Loutfi as artist-in-residence at WUOL. LEO regrets the error.
Louisville Crybaby
In regards to the May 6 letter entitled “Dormant Posers” by Ryzek Mal: I’m dying to know what “real musicians” he knew and what qualifies one as “real” or not. I’m curious to know how he came upon his powerful insight into ’90s hardcore. I’m mostly curious as to what compelled him to sound like a massive crybaby for the entire city to read all about. I admit it was entertaining to read, but I’m not sure what he felt he would accomplish, other than to sound like someone who never made it and now resents anyone else who gets any accolades.
Syd Bishop, Highlands
Scene It
Thank you so much for the Endpoint, Guilt and Duncan Barlow article (LEO Weekly, April 22). However, Ryzek Mal’s letter in the May 6 edition has me so enraged, I am finding it difficult to form complete sentences without using unprintable and tasteless expletives. I am wondering how many of Mal’s “serious musician” friends recorded with world-renowned engineer/musician Steve Albini in their late teens/early 20s. How many of these aforementioned “serious musicians” have done a BBC John Peel session? That’s what I thought.
It is clear to everyone who was/is a part of the Louisville punk, hardcore, indie, art, noise scene that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. How many of your friends’ bands are regularly mentioned by snarky music journalists (in an attempt to sound uber-cool) in magazines such as Spin, Rolling Stone or the Village Voice? As far as your statement, “the music was neither melodic nor catchy, and I would go so far as to say barely tolerable,” let me clue you into some of the most melodic, catchy and talented bands from Louisville during those years: Rodan, Crain, Slint, any and all Palace Music, King G and the J Krew, Sunspring, Metroschifter, June of 44, Kinghorse, etc. It sounds to me like you are either jealous, or it was your 15-year-old girlfriend who fooled around with a much cooler Louisville musician and broke your heart, or perhaps — and most likely — you just don’t know what the hell you are talking about. The Louisville music scene in the late ’80s and mid ’90s was a special time and something to be a part of. Rather than trashing what you don’t understand, try keeping your insights limited to “serious musicians” such as: Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. I shall now retire to listen to Crain’s Speed at maximum volume — I suggest you all do the same.
Thanks again, LEO — great job covering an important local and national music movement.
Ben Parrott, Clifton
Unfamiliar Shots
I was visiting Louisville this weekend and picked up a copy of LEO Weekly. Having recently spent almost two weeks in Israel, I was shocked at Michael Diaz’s photographs of places I visited (“Has money ruined religion?,” May 6). The Dead Sea is frankly one of the most unusual and beautiful places on Earth. Caesarea was stunning with remains of King Herod’s Palace — his ocean-fed swimming pool, the amphitheater (still in use today) and magnificent hippodrome. Frankly, I never noticed the scenes taken by Diaz. Are they really true? Maybe, but certainly not obvious or predominant. I think the point of article is really capitalism is the culprit. If anything, capitalism has preserved these relics of the past.
Tom Hahn, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Fair to be Aware
Thanks to Stephen George for doing what I was unable to do for two years — coax The Courier-Journal to write a pre-Derby article regarding safety during Louisville’s annual claim to fame (LEO Weekly, April 22). I own the house rented by the young women two years ago. I was sure I had thought of everything, providing maps, menus and other pertinent information for getting around Louisville during their stay. It never occurred to me to warn them that not all taxis are safe. They acted responsibly, choosing not to drink and drive. In my opinion, it is Louisville that was negligent.
The attack on Ms. Rogers happened Derby Eve, May 4, yet the first news didn’t appear until May 10 on WLKY.com. The C-J waited until May 11 to report the crime and give important information about taxi safety — too little, too late. I read with interest the comments by Metro Police spokesman Phil Russell to LEO about the uncommon nature of this crime. Those who listened to the screams of their friend from her cell phone and a neighbor who witnessed the kidnapping, reported to me that the police said this happens every year at Derby, but because the city considers it bad publicity, it is kept quiet. In fact, I learned of others who had frightening taxi experiences the same night, in the same area. Silence seems the epitome of irresponsibility on the part of the host city of one of the largest sporting events in our nation.
Informing the public in order to keep them safe would likely create a positive image, whereas negligence insures the future absence of guests (and their money) who have come to harm as a result of our city’s concern of a tarnished reputation. I feel certain that Louisville’s reputation is not in good standing with Ms. Rogers as a result of her experience. I hope your article made a difference this year, if only to bring awareness during this festive event.
Connie Polk, Germantown
