International Pop Overthrow @ The End, Nashville: March 6, 2004
By Brad Harvey-The Big Takeover

After stints in L.A., Chicago, New York, Baltimore, and Liverpool, power-pop impressario David Bash's IPO finally made it to the Music City for this five-night stand. The sheer quantity of 38 quality acts was overwhelming, but Bash's enthusiasm drove the fest along at a rapid pace, with none of the delays that make events of this type a potential endurance contest.

On Day Three, Chicago's Magnaphonic kicked things off with a blend of punchy pop that combined elements of No Doubt with early Blondie. Next, Matt Backer, who's worked with Julian Lennon, came all the way from London (his back-up band included bassist Adam McIntyre) with a set that chugged along like T. Rex crossed with Norman Greenbaum. The music of Jam Records' Jeremy sounded familiar even if you'd never heard it before. Backed by several family members and The Ringles' Todd Borsch, Jeremy dropped, ducked and rolled during his Pop Dreams selection "The Actor," ending up flat on his back after an out-of-control "Train Kept A Rollin'." For sheer musicianship, the lads of Nashville's Popular Genius won the night. With their quirky rhythms, harmonies, and horn/flute/accordian, they played as if they were recent music graduates from nearby Belmont University. L.A.'s Dollyrots pummeled the crowd with a hardcore barrage of sound, blurring the line between melody and noise despite covering material like The Ronettes 1963 #2 "Be My Baby." As a nod to The Who's auto-destruction, the trio's singer/bassist flung her instrument onto the floor, capping their set with a resounding thud. Nashville's Dum Dog Run resembled insurance salesmen out to win chicks with a little bit of rock 'n roll. Their tunes consisted of powerful guitar ravers with pop culture commentary like "The Mullet" and "Jennifer Anniston". Finally, former Windbreaker Tim Lee arrived from nearby Knoxville with his band The In-Line Six and rocked through a set heavy on wallop and guitar solos. (With the tiny club's volume exceeding pain threshold, I missed the final two acts, Stereo 360 and Verde.)

The camaraderie between the musicans, all of them pop soldiers-in-arms, was a marvel to behold. Here's wishing Bash and his IPO troops a long run.