Briefs

Chifauco

Reunion

Date: Saturday, Dec. 22 at 10:30 p.m.

Venue: Soul Kitchen (219 Dauphin St.) 433-5958. www.soulkitchenmobile.com

Tickets: $6 at door

When the members of Chifauco put on their annual holiday reunion, their legion of fans both past and present come out of the woodwork for their alternative funk rock.

Drummer Blair Shotts still rocks the Los Angeles music scene not only as a session drummer, but also a music director in the La-La Land theater scene. This year, Shotts was nominated for an L.A. Weekly Theater Award for “Best Musical Direction in a Theatrical Production.” This was for the play “Everyman for Himself,” which was directed by Mina Kaplan of “Stomp!” In addition, he has been playing in Trulio Disgracious (a side project from Fishbone members) as well as laying down drum tracks for Toots and the Maytals upcoming album.

Chifauco bassist Chris Freeman joined Shotts with RachaelSierraProject and signed to Arthropoda Records. Keyboardist Chris Spies spent 2007 playing in support of “Confessions of a Kung-Fu Mama” and maintaining his role as a Port City keyboard guru. When they all join Ali Afzalirad and Mike Smith, it will be a night filled with eclectic jams sure to conjure nostalgia and plenty of good music.

Lynam

Date: Saturday, Dec. 29 at 10 p.m.

Venue:Bay House Pub (28850 Bayline Dr.) 626-0158

Tickets: $10 at the door

Lynam’s no-holds-barred attitude and their intense ‘90s metal sound quickly made them a local favorite. Mobile was a regular stop on this Birmingham band’s tour itinerary, but it’s been a while since satisfying their Port City fans.

It’s not as if this band went into some sort of hiatus. In fact, quite the opposite.

Since their last gig, Lynam has stepped up a few rungs on the music industry ladder. When A&R legend Derek Shulman (Pantera/Bon Jovi) caught wind of Lynam, he quickly signed them to DRT Entertainment, a label that handles artists such as Powerman 5000, GWAR and Clutch.

After settling into their new position, Lynam went into the studio and released their first major label release “Slave to the Machine” and fans will be pleased with the effort.

Josh Bond, Andre Dardeau, Jimmy Lee, Adam Taylor with special guest Ledger Pen

Date: Friday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m.

Venue: Satori Coffee and Sound (5460 Old Shell Rd.) 344-4575

Tickets: $5 at the door

Folk music is on a breakneck spiral into the underground, and guitarist Josh Bond is riding it all the way down. A few months ago, Bond left his Mobile home for our Peach State sister Savannah. Now, he’s returning to the Port City with his latest masterpieces in tow.

Bond has created a melancholy backwoods acoustic sound forged in pure emotion. On songs such as “Oh Lord Don’t Wait for Me in Heaven,” his delicate plucking infused with stirring, poignant lyrics is purely an artistic act.

Jamming with Bonds that night will be Andre Dardeau and Jimmy Lee (The Colonel Dixies/One Cut Kill) as well as Adam Taylor (One Cut Kill) and special guest Ledger Pen. One Cut Kill is one of Mobile’s newest underground acts. Their grimy electronic industrial sound is not to be ignored.

The Rundown

As 2008 approaches with great haste, many people will take this festive opportunity to journey beyond the confines of the Port City and experience New Year’s Eve celebrations across the Southeast. Fortunately, there are a plethora of venues in various cities well-prepared to provide jovial entertainment for ravenous music fans. NOLA has always been a popular spot for New Year’s revelers, and the Big Easy is not slacking on variety as 2008 rolls into existence.

If blues is the requirement, then head on down to the House of Blues and let Buddy Guy lend a helping hand.

Over at the Howlin’ Wolf, a Port City favorite will be throwin’ down as Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk takes the stage with PBS (Porter-Batiste-Stoltz) giving support.

Looking for a more classic NOLA celebration? Tab Benoit will be rockin’ and rollin’ at the Mid City Lanes (aka “The Rock and Bowl”). This bowling alley has not changed in decades, and the nostalgic atmosphere will be perfect.

Eric Lindell and Galactic will be jamming at Tipitina’s Uptown, and Morning 40 Federation will be bringing their alternative rag-time/funk sound to One Eyed Jacks. The Morning 40 show will definitely be one of the biggest parties in the Crescent City.

Peach State party

Atlanta will kick out tons of jams for New Year’s Eve but before venturing out into this grand pearl of the South, get your party motors started with Widespread Panic on Dec. 30 at the Phillips Arena.

When New Year’s Eve kicks off in Hotlanta, the Fox Theatre will be the celebration’s epicenter. The Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival will be bubbling featuring the Derek Trucks Band, North Mississippi All-Stars and Scrapomatic.

Get’em while they’re hot

2008 isn’t even here yet, and tickets for one of the biggest shows of the year are already on sale! On March 3, Mobile has the rare opportunity to experience Wilco, a Chicago-based band with a large, loyal fan base and unique alt. country/roots rock sound.

Onstage at Bonnaroo, their sound was borderline psychedelic, and their adoring audience ate up every morsel of their aural feast. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and Wilcoworld.net.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

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