Briefs

Justin Fobes Band (92 ZEW Second Tuesday)

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 7 pm

Venue: The Blue Gill Restaurant (3775 Battleship Pkwy), 251-625-1998

Tickets: Free

The ZEW Crew threw-down so hard ringing in 2008 it looks like 2nd Tuesday will be a day late. Though this monthly event is tardy, the ZEW Crew will make up for it with a performance from Justin Fobes Band.

Fobes, also a regular solo performer, recruited Corey Johnson (bass/vocals), Roland Cobb (sax/vocals) and Steven Jacobs (drums/vocals) to accompany him. They recently opened for Silverchair and with the band, Fobes sheds his acoustic jazz/funk sounds for something more intense.

“It was really exciting,” says Fobes. “I broke out in a sweat like in the middle of the first song. It was very intense playing. The bass player and I are good friends and have been for a long time. We both played a lot on top of beats, which propels the music forward rather than laying it back.”

Fobes is looking to release his first radio single with a little help from the ZEW and also has plans to tour as much as possible in the future.

Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby

Date: Saturday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m.

Venue: Saenger Theater (6 S. Joachim St.), 208-5600

Tickets: $48/$42/$36

Bruce Hornsby is an extremely accomplished pianist best known for his work with Bruce Hornsby and the Range. Their hit “The Way It Is” topped the charts followed by “Mandolin Rain,” and after releasing “Scene From The Southside,” he was a regular fixture on stage with the Grateful Dead.

Ricky Skaggs started out at age five playing mandolin next to icons like Bill Monroe and was gracing the stage of the Grand Ole Opry by his teen years. Skaggs’ sound has gone through many changes over the years, yet his deep bluegrass roots are always found in the heart of every song he plucks.

These two great musicians are coming together for a special night of music, and will add their individual touch not only to their own music but many other favorites.

Strut and Fusebox Funk

Date: Friday, Jan. 11 at 9 p.m.

Venue: Soul Kitchen (219 Dauphin St.)

www.soulkitchenmobile.com

Tickets: $8

Asheville’s Strut has proven time after time that funk will not die but rather thrive in the right hands, a philosophy that has endeared them to many Mobile funk aficionados. The members of Strut grew up in a eco-friendly commune called “The Farm” in Summertown, Tenn. and have been jamming ever since. Their unique sound earned them a spot at The Echo Project Music Festival alongside such acts as The Killers, The Roots and Les Claypool.

Joining Strut will be Jacksonville’s Fusebox Funk. Many were introduced to their intense brand of the genre when they opened for Galactic. A word of warning: do not experience Fusebox Funk unless you’re ready to get on your feet and dance as this band’s sound is a fast-paced funk sure to keep you on your toes. Pick up a copy of their 2006 release “The Next Obsession” for a sample.

The Rundown

More than a year ago, Dauphin Way United Methodist recruited Quimby Pipe Organs to remove their organ for the purpose of maintenance and improvement. With the upgrade and renovation complete, the church is planning on breaking it in properly on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m., with a free concert from acclaimed organist Ken Cowan.

Cowan received his master’s degree and artist diploma at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and remains one of the most popular and sought after organists in the world. He will be performing in support of his latest release “The Art of the Symphonic Organist,” which was recorded with the help of a 1921 E.M. Skinner Organ.

Graced with a return

The Port City must have really impressed Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. On Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Soul Kitchen, Grace and the boys are returning along with Brandi Shearer. Shearer grew up in rural Oregon, where her parents provided quite an agrarian upbringing. She received her first guitar at age 8 and instantly began songwriting. The most appealing aspect of Shearer is her lovely voice, which is extremely deep and seductive. This only adds to a rootsy sound that travels across the spectrum of adult alternative.

Stranglers on the prowl

Judging from their calendar, it seems as if Thee Hibachi Stranglers are heading back to SXSW in March. These kings of Port City garage punk will be showcasing with their Orlando-based label mates, Florida’s Dying, at Austin’s legendary Beerland venue. On Jan. 8 at the OK Bicycle Shop, Thee Hibachi Stranglers will be joined by another label mate,Jacuzzi Boys. Jacuzzi Boys is a flashback to the days of raw garage punk such as The Stooges. Their steady, traditional rock beats and old school rock attitude should make for an excellent show.

Gettin’ up for Down

Down is coming to Mobile to kick off their tour on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Soul Kitchen. This all-star metal hurricane is comprised of Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown of Pantera, Kirk Windstein and Jimmy Bower of Crowbar and Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity. Representing the NOLA sludge scene to the fullest, catching Down can be tricky as most of its members have their own projects, so make sure and grab your tickets now at Soul Kitchen or at www.soulkitchenmobile.com.

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

Archives