Briefs

I’m not really sure what you guys gave up for Lent this year, thankfully it wasn’t catching great live music, but it seems you’ve all been on your best behavior. And I’m proud of you, ‘cause I know it’s hard to be good when there’s so much going on.

Now, ol’ St. Patrick is waiting ‘round the corner with his shillelagh poised to bludgeon you with this day of corned beef, cabbage and high decadence, strong drink and music galore. There’s only one catch: there are too many choices!

My advice would be to start out the day at Paddy O’Toole’s. This bar is a Port City staple, and their St. Paddy’s Day celebration is so big that they have to erect a tent in front of the place in order to hold everyone.

In that tent, patrons will be entertained with the sounds of The Seymour Lively Band featuring The Hurricane Horns. If the music outside gets you too hot, then mosey on inside and check out Hyde Project and Mobile’s princes of the blues jam, JackJaw Jimmy. JackJaw will also be bringing out some special guests in the form of Kenny Wainwright and Bo Roberts.

Your next stop should definitely be Callaghan’s Irish Social Club. My wife and I have fallen in love with this quaint, neighborhood pub. This is their biggest day of the year, and they are accommodating the masses (soon after mass) by blocking off the street in front of the bar.

Entertaining this block party, will be the County Cork’s Jim Flanagan at 1 p.m. Then at 4 p.m., Grayson Capps and the Stumpknockers will pinch even those who aren’t wearing green with their brand of Louisiana swamp/ Mobile Bay, rockin’ blues. I can’t stress how lucky we are to have Capps here; maybe as lucky as the Irish (rim shot, please). Then the Nappie Award winners for “Best Local Band,” Peek, will bring down the house, starting at 7 p.m.

If you’re still standing later on that night, then a trip down to LoDa might be in order.

Soul Kitchen will be in full swing on St. Patrick’s Day. They seemed to have been breaking in their new building nicely. Honestly, it’s nice to see a line wrapped around the block for a band and not a booty room.

And I’m sure that line will be out the door for Phar Fletcher’s March 17 performance. Les and the boys have been busy lately, playing hither and yonder, promoting their latest CD “Take It All.” Reading the reviews online at CD Baby suggests the fans are quite impressed with the latest offering from this Mobile favorite. I have also heard rumors that Phar Fletcher will be appearing in some TV commercials, so keep a close eye on the tube.

Woggle-eyed

The Woggles are coming to Mobile on March 15 at The Cell Block! Who are The Woggles? Simply put – pure, unadulterated rock-and-roll. I was first introduced to them by Neil Byrne of thee hibachi stranglers and fell in love instantly. These guys have been rocking crowds for almost 20 years, so every time you see them could be the last time.

How can I describe their sound? The Woggles are a throwback to the garage rock sounds of the ‘60s, to the time when The Kinks were considered underground. With grimy distortion plaguing their guitars, the Woggles are guaranteed to make you move.

Little Steven (Van Zandt, guitarist for Springsteen’s E Street Band) is in love with these guys and has featured them numerous times on his radio show, “Little Steven’s Underground Garage,” bestowing them with the “Coolest Song of the Week” several times. They are also seasoned veterans of SXSW and have shared the stage with Johnny Cash and Beck. This is a definite must-see.

Joining the Woggles will be none other than our local champions of garage punk, thee hibachi stranglers. Their dirty sounds have made them quite a favorite in the Mobtown Underground. My only question is this: WHEN IS THE NEW CD COMING OUT? Many of us have been waiting patiently, so Neil, Chris, Matt, please. We need our fix.

Allen on the Hill

Spring Hill College is giving the student body a musical treat March 31 when Ashton Allen comes to town. This music industry up-and-comer is perking up ears across the United States with his latest album “Dewdrops.” Allen is following in the footsteps of such artists as Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews, with an earthy, acoustic sound.

With “Dewdrops,” Allen’s goal was to create a sound that was embellished with a raw, studio feel to it. In order to achieve a goal of this level, a musician must have a high level of talent and skill to the extent that mastering is kept to a minimum. Allen achieves that with this offering.

Allen was feeling froggy after completing the album and took his sounds to the road for a four-month tour comprised of 31 states and more than 100 shows. A former member of the Gainesville-based band Big Sky, he is used to the road. They were fortunate enough to open for artists such as Sheryl Crow and Matchbox 20. So, if you’re on campus March 31, be sure to catch Ashton Allen.

Tunes on the tube

It’s been awhile since Mobile has had a television show that focuses on local, regional and national music. It began with “Creative Underground” on Port City 6 featuring Joe Gaston and Joe Hickman. “Creative Underground” featured bands out of the mainstream peppered with the adventures of Mute and Harry. This was followed by “The Whole Note,” which took a more serious tone to the music scene. Now, “Amped” is due to hit the airwaves in April on Port City 6. Stay tuned to the Nappie for more info!

The Night Tripper returns

It’s official! Dr. John will headline the much-anticipated Zewtopia Music Festival on Saturday, April 15. Now, I know some of you are saying, “But I just saw Dr. John a few months ago at the Saenger.”

Dr. John loved the Mobile audience so much that he was extremely anxious to get on this already impressive line-up. As an added bonus, the Zewtopia crowd will have a rare chance to experience Dr. John as some of you have never seen him. Dr. John will be performing one of his rare “Night Tripper” shows.

Dr. John will take the stage as his old school, alter-ego Dr. John Creaux the Night Tripper (inspired by NOLA occult/voodoo aficionado Dr. John Montaine) with his Mardi Gras head-dress and multi-colored robes. With a horn section and back-up singers, the Night Tripper show has been said to be an all-out, psychedelic voodoo ritual (literally). I can think of no better way to celebrate your Rites of Spring than with Zewtopia and the Night Tripper.

Dr. John joins Cracker, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Mike Doughty, the subdudes, Elliot Morris and Mindy Smith, as well as many others. The April 12 edition of Lagniappe will cary the official Zewtopia guide, so check it out.

Down under the Causeway

Speaking of the Zew, they, along with Budweiser, will kick off their “Summer Concert Series” at The Swamp Room April 2 with a performance by Atlantic Records’ The John Butler Trio at 6 p.m. The Swamp is “down under” Felix’s Fish Camp, which is perfect since JBT hails from Australia. This show will be absolutely free. For more information, call the ZEW at 433-9236.

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

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