Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Whatevs This Flag Signals Get High: Turbo Fruits
Posted by Steve Haruch on Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Last Friday, Turbo Fruits played a little CMJ "sideshow" thingy in New York. In the video you can see that Turbo Bass Guitar Max has draped a Tennessee flag over his bass amp.
Now, I know that displays of regional pride—though in my mind more by city than state—have their history in rock music, but I've always thought bands from Ohio took that shit more seriously. Recently, The Black Keys brought that big inflatable tire with the Buckeye State's name on it to The Ryman. Swearing at Motorists always pin up the dandy old Ohio flag behind them when they play. (It also features prominently on their album This Flag Signals Goodbye.)
Is there a discernible identity for Tennessee bands that really means anything and that Turbo Fruits can claim stake to? Or is it just that the TN flag looks cool hanging over the ol' Ampeg cabinet? Because it does.
Comments (20)
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When has 'because it looks cool' ever not been enough for anything ever? Totally enough for me. Plus, is there even a Nashville flag? If not, I have some suggestions, but it will probably just end up the black flag with the big, white "CASH". Oh well.
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You're right Larry- either that, "Hank You" or "I Ain't Bashful...! I think the TN flag looks cool too, and I have tons of native-born friends who have some variation of it in tattoo form.
I wanted to show my own regional pride but a tarheel, a basketball or a tobacco plant just don't seem to be as cool as those simple-but-effective three stars, and our flag is kind of lame.
Re: the Nashville flag - How about a light blue catfish with a leopard print vest, a moustache, and a cowboy hat?
The Nashville flag (technically the "Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County" flag) includes a Native American with a spear on his back, holding up a skull in his left hand, while an eagle carries a star'd and stripe'd shield and arrows in its talons. A tobacco plant sits to the right of all the action.
I can get on board with that. I mean, I'm from Florida, so I can't very well drape it over my amp or anything, but that sounds like a cool flag for you guys. Skulls and tobacco...hell yeah.
Jetpack/The Nobility have been representing TN by proudly displaying the state flag for years. Just sayin'...
Tigers Con Queso have been sporting a giant Mexican flag behind us when we play. I also have it spraypainted on the face of my amp.
how's that for regionally incorrect misrepresentation?
I went with the Mexican national team futbol jersey for a show on St. Patrick's Day last year. It was green, yet ironic, as I am neither Irish or Mexican, nor do I play futbol.
Justin Townes Earle already beat y'all to the Davidson County Seal. Just sayin'.
RE: HighonLife
Your catfish.
Did this at work under the radar so give me a break :/
Swearing at Motorists...Is this now the 3rd time in a week Dayton bands have come up on here?
Whoa, I thought that one dude was kidding about the Native American/spears/skull/tobacco plant, but it's all true.
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