Briefs

I hope everyone took advantage of the outdoor shows over the past couple of weeks. I really enjoyed the John Butler Trio show at Felix’s Fish Camp. Their venue is absolutely unbelievable! It was nice jamming to JBT with the sand creeping up between my toes and plenty of room to move around under the warm light of numerous Tiki torches.

After ZEWtopia, I think everyone will be ready to mix things back up a bit by catching some tunes inside the air-conditioned comfort of various venues from LoDa to the ESho.

Skidding into town

It’s been a long time since Southern Culture on the Skids has made a pit stop in Mobile. On April 25, these living icons of trailer fabulous will breeze into Mobile for an unforgettable night of music at Cell Block. This countrified trio is a definite must-see. Currently, they are touring in support of their latest release “Mojo Box” and its companion “Double Wide and Live.”

Their music trips lightly across the garage sound spectrum. They can take a genre like California Surf and deep fry it in Southern rock goodness. When I spoke to lead singer Rick Miller a year ago, we discussed how this Americana Rock sound came to be.

“When I started writing songs for the band, we drew from a mixed bag of stuff that we were all familiar with,” Miller explains. “Some of the stuff was more considered than others like that tune ‘Doublewide.’ I thought it would be cool to take a country song and put a surf guitar or surf beat to it.”

If the music doesn’t hook you, then their look will. They take the stage dressed in the most exaggerated white-trash-of-days-past style you’ve ever seen. Joining SCOTS will be punk legends The Queers and SCOTS’ tour mates, The Weary Boys.

Zigging at Monsoons

Zig and the Zigtones, who once called the Port City home and now hang their hats in B-ham will make an appearance April 22 at Monsoon’s.

If you want to catch some first-rate Southern biker rock, these are your boys. And speaking of B-ham bands, mark your calendars for April 28 when Runaway Coaltrain, featuring members of Rollin’ in the Hay, will play Monsoon’s.

Holt at Ravenite

The Ravenite Pizzeria is one of Fairhope’s best kept secrets. You know secrets can’t be kept for long in the South, and Ravenite will be no exception. In addition to the wonderful food the Gambinos have to offer, Ravenite has been providing quality musical entertainment for quite some time. Past performers have included John Lisi & Delta Funk, Triple 40, Eric Lindell and Lee Yankie & the Hellz Yeah. Many of these guys like the place so much that they usually stay for two nights of performances. Even the Adam Holt Band plans on making a stop at The Ravenite April 20 and 21.

It’s been awhile since we spoke of Adam Holt. I do know a lot more people are talking about him since XM has been rotating his music. Adam Holt Band still remains totally focused on the music. They don’t rely on “who they know” or “who’ve they played with.” They build their reputation on their quality music. Their versatile style ranges from mainstream folk-rock to outright Delta blues. Make the drive over to Ravenite and watch Adam Holt Band legitimize their growing reputation.

Grass in the Saenger

On April 28, the Saenger is going down home with a performance from Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Lawson is bringing his authentic bluegrass sound straight out of Ford Town, Tenn.

As with many bluegrass artists, Lawson pulls his influences from the legendary alto Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys. He conjures up an ol’ timey sound with his recordings and chooses to focus most of his attention on the gospel side of bluegrass. He is also the founding father of the Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver Festival up in Denton, NC.

Mobile’s Dog River Boys have the pleasure of opening for this exceptional act. So, get your tickets now, and watch the stage of the Saenger Theater be transformed into a back porch before your very eyes!

Shooting for the stars

After catching Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver head on down to the Soul Kitchen to check out Shooter Jennings. I’ve been hearing about Jennings for quite some time now. The son of country legend Waylon Jennings even turned up in “Walk the Line” playing his father. I guess I’ll have my chance to see what all the buzz is about when Shooter Jennings takes the stage at Soul Kitchen on April 28.

You can tell that his outlaw country upbringing has found its way into Jennings’ music, yet he has thrown in quite a bit of Southern rock to create a unique sound. However, Jennings prefers that you classify his music as country. This is definitely heard in his CD “Put the O Back in Country.” Spending his first years of life in a crib on Waylon’s tour bus will do that to you.

Jennings is currently touring in support of his newly released album “Electric Rodeo.” From some of the cuts that I’ve heard online, the crowd at Soul Kitchen should be quiet pleased. Jennings pours pure emotion into each song, so I’m confident he will win the audience with an equally emotional stage presence.

After Soul Kitchen, Jennings will continue touring and make a pit stop at Bonnaroo in June. It seems as if the Port City is dishing out previews of Bonnaroo artists left and right between this show and ZEWtopia.

Fish on the Causeway

If you still long for an outdoor setting for your musical entertainment, then catch Barry Fish at The Blue Gill April 23. This Birmingham native was a five-time winner and eventual finalist on “Star Search.” Fish spends his time touring up and down the Gulf Coast, netting a loyal fan base along the way. His audiences will find him diverse and unforgettable with an electrifying stage presence and skillful musicianship.

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

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