What's your town's nickname?

Derby City, because of the Kentucky Derby of course, and "Falls City" -- same as the beer brewed there from 1905 to 1978. There was once a huge neon sign at the city's northern approach declaring Louisville "The Gateway to the South" but it was taken down in the early 60's.

What's your nickname for your town?

Lousyville. Loserville.

Why do you live there?

I'll tell you why most people live there: It's cheap.You can live decently on almost nothing in Louisville.

But it's not just an inexpensive place to live, the quality of life is much higher than other cities. There are beautiful, old trees everywhere. Nature is abundant. Bourbon is plentiful. It's not backwards like a lot of places in the midwest and south, people are intelligent and cultured. There's a lot

of 'old money' and tradition in Louisville. But there's also a lot of pride in being unique from your neighbors.

You can live below the poverty line, have a cheap apartment in a hip part of town and still get drunk with beautiful women every night. Drinks are dirt cheap and generous. Women are spicy and smart as a whip.

What is your favorite local attraction (monument, park, etc)?
I like the Falls of the Ohio, sneaking onto the abandoned Portland train bridge, and the Galt House.

What is your favorite local event/festival?

Derby parties are usually pretty sweet. They were amazing in the late 80s and early 90s-- we'd throw parties where people would come from all over the world to attend. Amazing bands would play free house parties-- King Kong, Rapeman, Pavement, Love Child, Bo Deco, Babylon Dance Band, etc. Jugs of Maker's Mark would be passed around the dance floor and huge bowls of Viceroy cigarettes were there for the taking.

What is the best time of year to be there?
Probably in May, for the Derby festivities and fancy dress. But I prefer October and November. With all those mature trees you get massive piles of leaves blowing around in the poison ivy.

Who is your favorite local celebrity/personality?
Muhammad Ali.

Where is the best place to drink and what's their specialty or happy hour?  
You can always find our rhythm section at Cahoot's. I'm not joking-- they are there from 11pm to 4am.

There are hipster dive bars like Sidden Fadden's and Nach Bar. But the bar nearest to my heart is Freddy's. It's dark and quiet, like a pond at night, television humming away. When someone enters the bar, it's like a ripple in the pond.

Freddy is an ex-boxer and he's still a ball buster at 70-something. I asked him once if my band could play there, promising to bring in more bar sales. He seemed annoyed at this idea, "I started this bar as a place for a man to bring his mistress, I don't want any attention."

Who has the best jukebox (and what's in it)?
Dedden's Highland Fling. Everything from Charley Pride to Royal Trux.

What is your favorite place to see live music and what was your favorite show there?
I really like The Pour Haus in Germantown. But Cahoot's has been having shows again. I played there a lot throughout the 80s when it was called Tewligan's. There are too many favorite shows to mention.

What is your favorite local band?
Lords.

What is your favorite diner or restaurant and what is their best dish?
Vietnam Kitchen. It's in the south end and it's all good.

What is your favorite record store and what was your best find there?
Ear X-tacy is probably the best active store.

Back in the day Pyramid Records was pretty awesome. I got all my thrash, punk and metal records there-- they put all the weird, extreme stuff in the import section for some reason.

King's Records, which is also no longer around, had amazing country vinyl. I got a Jimmie Rodgers double LP for $5. I think Rosanne Cash has a record where she's standing in front of King's on the cover.

What is your favorite local shop?
I like Spinelli's Pizza because they are metal-friendly.

What is your favorite local publication (alternative weekly, zine, website or blog)?
Sean Garrison's MySpace blog is the only thing worth reading.

Where is the best place to drink and what's their specialty or happy hour?  
Cahoots - everyone knows your name.

Who has the best jukebox (and what's in it)?
The Nach bar - Kiss.

What is your favorite place to see live music and what was your favorite show there?
Toy Tiger - Dio.

What is your favorite local band?
Evergreen.

What is your favorite diner or restaurant and what is their best dish?
Vietnam Kitchen - mooshoo.

What is your favorite record store and what was your best find there?
Highland Records - Osmonds (crazy horses).

What is your favorite local shop?
Magnetic Tape.

What is your favorite local publication (alternative weekly, zine, website or blog)?
Bejeezus.