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(posted 10/28/03)
Questions for Tuscaloosa musicians … answers from Jeb Smith, the Phoebes
These musicians have answered our local music questionairre about the closing of the Chukker.
If you'd like to submit your comments, click here.

Elliott McPherson, Mike Hitt, Ben Barfoot and Jeb Smith were the Phoebes. Here they are in 1996.

Druid City Online ... What was your first experience with the Chukker as a patron? as a musician?

Jeb Smith, the Phoebes ... as a patron, jumping the fence in the back before I turned 21 to see the Penetrators play!

As a musician, my first show at the Chukker was when the Phoebes opened for the Penetrators. I believe the Nooners were there and we were asked to open for them the next night at the Chukker.

Who is the first band you saw at the Chukker and what do you remember about that night?

The first band I ever saw at the Chukker were the Penetrators. I believe they were wearing their gold lamee jackets. Brian, Scott and Wade were on the floor in front of the stage and Elliott had his kit set up behind them on the stage, using it as a giant drum riser! I thought that was so neat! I was heavily into Milwaukee's best at the time, and would sneak in as many beers as I could carry in my pockets. I'd leave my cans on tables and on the stage to leave my mark.

Who is the best and worst band you've seen at the Chukker and what do you remember?

I don't want to mention the worst band. They may still be around in Tuscaloosa.

The most memorable show for me was finally seeing the Flat Duo Jets. I had been a fan of theirs for a long long time, but never got to see them. I finally did and I was blown away. They were so loud, and it's just two guys. Crow, was amazing on the drums. He'd do several solos during their version of Sing Sing Sing, and I'd kinda yell out "Wow!" and Dex would turn around to look at Crow and see what I was freaking out about. After the show, Dex curled up in a ball on the couch and wouldn't talk to anyone, but Crow listened to me ramble on about how they were my second favorite band, being barely beaten out by KISS. He thought that was hilarious! I guess Dex eventually started talking to people because Elliott (McPherson) got him to sign a pick for me after I had to leave.

I missed many great shows when I was too young to get in. The Swinging Neckbreakers were playing one night and I jumped the fence to get in, but the back door was locked. I was pounding on that door, but no one opened it. I tried to tough it out and brave the cold with my ear to the door, but I finally had to give it up. It was so cold out there. I probably went home and read comic books.

Name as some of the best local bands you saw at the Chukker. Include any information you can remember about those bands.

I loved seeing the Penetrators, the Woggles, the Dexateens and Model Citizen.

I remember watching one Model Citizen show with my brother and they had a smoke machine going full blast. John and I were standing at the front of the stage and we couldn't even see Matt Patton. We kept yelling, "Wher'd Matty Patty go?" Next thing we know, Mike Gaut is burning and smashing a typewriter right in front of us! Woo!

One of my favorite Penetrators shows was right after they had designed the Air Spanky flyer to promote the show. Basically, a take off on the Nike Air ads, but instead of Michael Jordan flying through the air with his legs spread, it was Brian. During the show, I kept yelling "Air Spanky!" and Brian would jump up in the air doing the Air Jordan pose.

Where will you go to see music once the Chukker is closed?

I've been in Dallas for a couple of years now, and I'm still trying to find a good place to see bands here. None compare to the Chukker to me. The sound may be better at other places, but I went to the Chukker for the good friends I'd meet there. It also always had such sentimental meaning for me since it was the first club I ever played. I really am sorry it won't be there anymore. I wish I could be there for the last night. I hope that people in Tuscaloosa will start going to 600 Studios once the Chukker closes.

What's the strangest sight or experience you can recall from the Chukker?

Mike Gaut getting naked on stage... again. That or Mike smashing the typewriter right in front of my brother and I. Oh, there was that one Dexateens show during the Blaspheme complation release party where a guy got cut on his forehead and was bleeding all over the place, but never stopped dancing around to the music.

How would you describe the Chukker under its current ownership?

I haven't been there in a long time, so I don't really know.

When you hear the name Ludovic Goubet (the previous Chukker owner), what comes to mind?

You know, I never really got to know him. I know that it seemed like we got short changed on our cut at the door when the Phoebes would play, but who knows if that was really the case. I remember one night when Elliot's (McPherson) mom was in town. We went to the Chukker and Ludovic seemed quite smitten by her!

What will Tuscaloosa lose when the Chukker closes on Halloween?

The best place to hear original music of many different styles. You could hear anything there, except for cover bands. The one place you could get away from all of that. I hope that things work out with 600 Studios and that they can pick up where the Chukker left off. There needs to be another place like the Chukker to hear original music. I am really going to miss that place.

What do you plan on doing on the Chukker's final night?

I think I'll be at home watching scary movies with my wife. I'll be thinking about the Chukker though. I'm sure I'll pull out some old Model Citizen shows that were filmed at the Chukker and watch those. I wish I could be there. I miss all of you.

Jeb Smith is/was a member of these and other Tuscaloosa bands ...
the Phoebes, the Things, Model Citizen, APE

The Chukker closed forever Halloween weekend 2003. Music for the Last Stand of the Chukker was provided by the Woggles, Club Wig, Model Citizen, Sweat Bee, DC Moon and his Atomic Supermen, and The Last Gunslinger. Click here to read more about the history of the Chukker.

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